Thailand’s FA bans two footballers for six months over SEA Games brawl

UPDATE

Thailand’s Football Association (FA) banned two Thai footballers from playing in national games for six months over the brawls that erupted during the men’s football final between Indonesia and Thailand at the SEA Games in Phnom Penh on May 16. The FA banned three staff members who stormed the pitch for an entire year, citing their lack of maturity.

The FA handed a six-month ban to goalie Soponvit Rakyart, who ran half the length of the pitch to throw a punch after chaos broke out during the final minutes of the match. Another player who got involved, substitute Teerapak Pruegna, also got a six-month ban from national games for brawling.

Their bans would have been longer but the FA went easy on them since they are “young” and were “under match pressure and have apologised.” Whereas, the FA banned three staff members who should know better – Prasobchok Chokmor, Pattravudh Wongsripeuk, and Mayeed Mudadum – for one year…

“The fact-finding team agreed unanimously that as adults, the goalkeeping coach and team officials should be mature enough to control the situation and set a good example for the players, who are aged under 22 years old. They should not lead or take part in the incident.”

After War Elephant substitute Yotsakorn Burapha scored an equaliser in the 90th minute, Indonesia hit back and netted a goal thanks to a slip from Thai defender Somchai Thongcham.

Seconds later, a huge brawl broke out with coaches storming the pitch and encouraging the fight. The referee dished out five red cards to those responsible: one to Thailand’s goalie Soponvit, one to Indonesian defender Komang Trisanda and three to the unruly coaches.

Indonesia scored two more goals before the final whistle blew, putting an end to Indonesia’s 32-year SEA Games men’s football medal drought with a 5-2 win.

ORIGINAL STORY: Huge brawl erupts at Thailand v Indonesia SEA Games football final (video)

The South East Asia (SEA) Games football final between Indonesia and Thailand turned into a Muay Thai match yesterday when Thailand netted an equalising goal in extra time, sparking a dramatic brawl. But Indonesia ran out victors scoring three more goals in extra-time to win their first SEA Games men’s football medal in 32 years with a 5-2 victory.

After a heated match on a sweltering Phonm Phenh evening, Indonesia’s worst fears were realised when the War Elephant’s substitute player Yotsakorn Burapha scored an equaliser in the 90th minute to level the score 2-2.

Two minutes into extra time, Indonesia clapped back and netted a goal thanks to a slip-up from Thai defender Somchai Thongcham.

Seconds later, a huge brawl broke out with coaches from both teams storming the pitch and encouraging the fight. A flood of security staff ran onto the pitch in a bid to quell the violence.

The referee dished out five red cards for those responsible for starting the fight: one for Thailand’s goalie Soponvit who ran the length of the pitch to launch a punch, one for Indonesian defender Komang Trisanda and three for coaches from both teams.

Extra time continued once calm returned just for Thai-Danish player Jonathan Khemdee to be sent off with a yellow card in the 101st minute, leaving just nine players on the pitch fighting Thailand’s corner.

Then, Indonesia’s Fajar Fathur Rahman scored the team’s fourth, but not final, goal from the edge of the box. Then, Thailand was left with eight men when striker Teerasak received a second yellow card in the 118th minute.

The game drew to a close after Indonesia’s fittingly-named Beckham Putra struck a final goal, putting an end to Indonesia’s 32-year SEA Games men’s football medal drought.

Having won the match, Indonesian head coach Indra Syafri quickly forgot about the players’ lack of sportsmanship…

“I regret that friends from both Thailand and our team [fought]. But It’s over, we already hugged and forgave each other. This is football.”