GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - Two foreigners learned the hard way that they should never interrupt sports fans watching a live telecast.

The two were assaulted in separate incidents at a bistro in Pengkalan Weld and a hotel in Jalan Macalister when they meddled with television sets that were tuned to the Beijing Olympics badminton finals on Sunday between Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan of China.

At the bistro, a 54-year-old Frenchman was assaulted by two men while the hotel saw a 25-year-old Swede beaten by another man.

Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azam Abdul Hamid said the foreigners were punched and had bottles thrown at them.

"The Frenchman sustained minor head injuries while the Swede had multiple bruises on his body."