AFC punishes Indonesia, Thailand for SEA Games football brawls

Name: AFC punishes Indonesia, Thailand for SEA Games football brawls
Uploaded: 2023-07-13T15:10:49+07:00
Duration: 2 min 18 s
Description: Five players and nine coaching staff of Indonesia and Thailand were suspended for six games and fined at least $1,000 following brawls in the SEA Games 32 football final.

By Vinh San July 13, 2023 | 12:10 am PT

A brawl between Thailand and Indonesia players at the SEA Games 32 men's football final on May 16, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Hieu Luong

Five players and nine coaching staff of Indonesia and Thailand were suspended for six games and fined at least $1,000 following brawls in the SEA Games 32 football final.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the penalties on Tuesday night regarding the brawls during the SEA Games men’s football final between the two teams on May 16.

Seven members of Indonesia - three players and four staff members - are suspended for six games. Two players, Agung Bagus Fawwazi and Komang Teguh, and three staff members, Tegar Diokta, Ahmad Nizar and Toid Sarnadi, also have to pay a fine of $1,000 each.

Midfielder Taufany Muslihuddin and assistant coach Sahari Gultom do not have to pay a fine.

The same penalties are applied to seven members of Thailand. Goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart and two assistant coaches Pattarawut Wongsriphuek and Mayeid Mad-Adam are suspended for six matches and fined $1,000. Midfielder Chayapipat Supunpasuch and staff members Purachet Todsanit, Thirapak Prueangna and Bamrung Boonprom are suspended without paying fines.

The AFC also requires the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to pay an extra fine of $10,000, while the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) does not have to pay the fine.

It added that Indonesia and Thailand would receive heavier penalties if it happened again.

The men's football final of SEA Games 32 at Phnom Penh Stadium, Cambodia, on May 16 concluded with a 5-2 victory for Indonesia after 120 minutes. The game was marred by brawls between the two teams at the end of the second half and the start of extra time.

The incident has tarnished the image of Thai and Indonesia, and Southeast Asian football in general.

One day after the incident, Thailand issued an apology. On May 23, the FAT suspended two players and three coaching staff for their involvement.

Goalkeeping coach Prasadchok Chokmoh, assistant coach Phatrawut Wongsripuek, and coaching staff Mayid Madada were all suspended from working for Thai football teams for a year.

Two players Sohonwit Rakyath and Teerapak Pruengna are not allowed to play for Thai teams at any level for six months.

Indonesia did not punish any member of its team, as PSSI president Erick Thohir said it was just "a spontaneous act where the players were provoked."

Fights at SEA Games 32 final between Indonesia, Thailand — Brawls break out between Indonesia and Thailand at the SEA Games 32 final in Cambodia, May 16, 2023.