Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

By Lam Thoa, Hieu Luong   May 16, 2023 | 09:05 am PT
Coaches and players from Thailand and Indonesia tore into each other as disputes during the SEA Games men's football final erupted into at least two full-scale brawls on Tuesday.
Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

Indonesia was leading Thailand 2-1 in the second half of the match when the referee blew the whistle to allow a direct penalty for Thailand.

But coaches for the Indonesian team thought it was the signal for the end of the match, so they mistakenly rushed onto the field to celebrate.

However, the penalty allowed Thailand to equalize 2-2. Then both coaches and players from the Thai side began taunting their Indonesian opponents following the goal. Chaos ensued.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

Indonesian forward Titan Agung swung at the Thai coaches and threw a kick. People from both teams then joined the fray, resulting in a bench-clearing brawl.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

The referees were not able to stop the fight as the brawl spread across a quarter of the stadium.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

When Indonesia later scored a goal to tilt the scoreboard 3-2, their players taunted back at Thailand to get even. Another brawl then started.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

Both coaches and players from both sides joined the melee as chaos enveloped Olympic Field in Phnom Penh.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

A member from the Thailand team kicked an Indonesian player amid the chaos. The referees tried to de-escalate the situation to no avail.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

An Indonesian coach got kicked and collapsed onto the ground.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

People continued to kick, punch and slap each other as the brawl heated up.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

No less than 10 people participated in the brawl. Following the kerfuffle, referees handed out five red cards to both teams.

Chaos descends as Thailand, Indonesia brawl at SEA Games football final

The brawl only stopped once security came into play.
Indonesia eventually won 5-2, securing their first gold medal in SEA Games men's football.


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

 
 
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