THE resignation of the president of the Football Association of Thailand sparked concern that the country’s national football team could be banned from competing in future competitions.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan allegedly exerted pressure on the President of the Football Association of Thailand, Somyot Phumphanmuang, to resign from his post.
Prawit reportedly gave the instruction in response to a physical fight between football players and coaches during the men’s football final between Indonesia and Thailand at the SEA Games in Cambodia on May 16.
The decision was interpreted as political interference from a third party that violates FIFA rules and could lead to Thailand being possibly banned from future competitions.
Two Thai footballers have been banned from playing in national games for six months while three staff members who stormed the pitch have been banned for an entire year.
FIFA did not make any official announcement yet regarding the matter while Deputy PM Prawit in a recent interview expressed confidence that Thailand would not face a FIFA ban.
