Video of Filipino footballer ‘handball’ grab on Ikhsan Fandi draws jokes, jeers online

The good news is that Singapore’s Lions won against the Philippines’ Azkals on Tuesday (Mar 29) 2-0 in the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Tri-Nations Series 2022.

However, just like the slap heard around the world at the Oscars on Monday, perhaps the most memorable moment of the match was when Filipino Diego Bardanca was spotted grabbing Singapore’s Ikhsan Fandi’s family jewels in the first 10 minutes of the game.

The clip of that “handball” incident has since gone viral. You could say it, well, grabbed a lot of attention.  Thankfully, Ikhsan seems to have taken everything in stride. 

Football being what it is, this “handball” won’t have been the first — and wont be the last.

Ikhsan even made the most of the moment online, reposting a short clip and a photo of the crotch grab on  IG Stories with bemused emojis.

@shahid_ayid80

Jahat eh raba raba “Bebird” Ikhsan Fandi… 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #fyp #singapura #FAS

♬ original sound – Terawis Ayid Shahid – Terawis Ayid Shahid

Netizens had a lot of fun with it too, with viral videos on TikTok and YouTube ensuring that this moment will live on in history.

As for Bardanca, well, the football gods did not smile on him that night; he was sent off n the 39th minute, after a bad tackle on Lions’ captain Hariss Harun.

Bardanca’s second yellow card – both yellows earned within minutes – educed his team to only 10 players.

The Azkals are having a tough time of it, having also lost to Malaysia on Mar 23. The Lions are having an impressive season so far, having beat Malaysia 2-1 on Saturday night (Mar 26).  You might say they’re having a ball.

/TISG

Ikhsan Fandi wants jersey number ‘9’. Not ’17’ of his legendary father Fandi