Bathily was embroiled in controversy during the Match #86 clash between Etoile FC and Hougang United, in which the game was called off before kickoff due to an all-in brawl involving both squads.[3] Both teams gave varying descriptions of how the fight occurred, however the fight is believed to have started during the pre-match warm up when an Etoile FC ball was kicked into the Hougang United warm up area.[4] It is then claimed that Bathily entered the Hougang warm up area to retrieve the ball, where he then headbutted Hougang's assistant coach Hasrin Jailani, with no provocation.[3] Bathily denied these reports, claiming he slapped the assistant coach because he had aimed a racist slur towards him.[5] However, an unnamed source from Etoile claims the melee started when first-choice goalkeeper Antonin Trilles was verbally abused, and even kicked by the Hougang assistant coach.[4]
As a result of the fracas, Basit Abdul Hamid and the Hougang assistant coach were taken to hospital, whilst Etoile players Franklin Anzite and Bathily were also taken to hospital.[4]
After a week-long disciplinary hearing from the Football Association of Singapore, which took 5 sessions, a total of 18+1⁄2 hours, finally reached a verdict. Both clubs were docked 5 points each, and fined $10,000, of which $5,000 is suspended until the end of the 2011 S.League season, dependent on each clubs good behaviour.[6] Three Hougang United members were charged with gross misconduct which brought the game into disrepute.[7] Assistant coach Jailani was fined $1,000, charged with using vulgar language and received a 3-match touchline ban.[7] The Hougang Captain Shariff Abdul Samat was fined $1,500 and charged with committing an act of violence upon Bathily, and received a 5-match suspension.[7] Fathi Yunus was cleared of all charges by the tribunal.[7]
Bathili himself was charged with committing an act of violence upon the Hougang assistant coach, was fined $2,000 and received a 7-match ban,[7] whilst Bathili's teammate Serge Souchon-Koguia was charged with committing an assault on Hougang player Basit Abdul Hamid, fined $1,500 and received a 5-match ban.[7]