STAFFERS found themselves suspended for 1 year while 2 other players received 6-month bans after getting involved in a violent brawl that marred the Men’s Football Final at the SEA Games in Cambodia.
Two mass brawls and four red cards marred the men’s football final at Phnom Penh’s Olympic Stadium last week.
Players and coaches of both sides clashed with each other when the referee blew his whistle close to full time and Indonesia’s players and coaches celebrated thinking they had won the game, only to find out that the whistle was in fact for a free kick from Thai athlete Yotsakorn Burapha who scored for a tie.
In the end, Indonesia defeated Thailand 5-2 in extra time.
The Football Association of Thailand promised severe punishments for those involved in the public scuffle that the agency said damaged the image of the national team.
After collecting evidence and the investigation completed on May 22, the football authority slapped penalties on one coach, goalkeeper, two staffers, and two other players with suspensions ranging from six months to one year.
The Ethics Investigation Committee stepped in after the incident has been continuously reported by local and international media, with some claiming it has damaged the image of Thailand and the local football industry.
