The Thai Football Federation (FA Thailand) took a firm stance by punishing two of their players who were involved in a riot in the 2023 SEA Games men’s soccer final. The 2023 SEA Games men’s soccer final in Cambodia resulted in Indonesia as the winner and is entitled to a gold medal.
In the match that was held at the Olympic National Stadium, Phnom Penh, the Indonesian U22 national team under Indra Sjafri successfully defeated Thailand with a score of 5-2 in extra time. Five goals for Indonesia were scored by Ramadhan Sananta (20′ and 45’+5), Irfan Jauhari (91′), Fajar Fathur Rahman (107′), and Beckham Putra Nugraha (120′). Two goals from Thailand were recorded by Anan Yodsangwal in the 65th minute and Yotsakorn Burapha in the 90+7th minute.
Unfortunately, the match was marred by chaos that occurred in front of the Indonesian bench after Irfan Jauhari scored the third goal for the Garuda squad. During the chaos, the manager of the Indonesian U22 national team, Kombes Pol Sumardji, was slammed by a Thai official. Referee Kassem Matar Al-Hatmi from Oman also gave a red card to Thai goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart who hit Indonesian defender Komang Teguh Trisnanda.
Thailand apologizes, manager resigns
Responding to the chaos in the 2023 SEA Games men’s soccer final, the Thai FA has officially issued an apology. “Regarding the controversial incident, I must apologize to the football fans and apologize to the people of Thailand. We will reiterate to the team about emotional control and behavior on the field,” said the President of the Thai FA, Somyot Pumpanmuang, on Wednesday (17/5/2023).
Meanwhile, Yuttana Yimkarun as the manager of the Thailand U22 national team decided to resign as a form of accountability for the incident. From the Indonesian side, manager Sumardji emphasized that the incident in the 2023 SEA Games final was clear following Thailand’s apology. “I think it’s enough to come here because the Thai federation has apologized to Indonesia and those who hit me have also apologized,” Sumardji said. “Clear everything, football is brotherhood,” added Sumardji.
Thailand imposes penalties for players and officials
Apart from officially apologizing, the Thai FA is also investigating the incident of chaos in the 2023 SEA Games football final against Indonesia. As a result, on Tuesday (23/5/2023), the FA of Thailand imposed penalties on two players, two officials and one goalkeeping coach.
Goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart and midfielder Teerapak Pruengna have been suspended from playing for the Thai national team for six months. The Thai FA did not impose a more severe punishment because it took into account the age of the two players who were still young.
“Those involved in the incident were under pressure from the match and have apologized, and they are still young. This is the reason for reducing their sentences,” said the official statement from the Thai FA.
In addition to receiving sanctions from the federation, Teeapak Pruengna also received punishment from his club, Buriram United. Teeapak was suspended by Buriram United for six months and his salary was slashed by 25 per cent while serving his sentence. Apart from these two players, the Thai FA also punished two officials and the goalkeeper coach of the U22 War Elephant squad.
The two officials and one goalkeeping coach were suspended for one year from being called up to the Thai national team. The Thai FA said that the three figures should have been able to set an example for young players, instead of starting riots. “The fact-finding team unanimously agreed that as adults, the goalkeeping coaches and team officials must be mature enough to control and set a good example for players who are under 22 years of age,” the Thai FA said in their official statement.
