AFC imposes heavy fine on melee at SEA Games final

Five players and nine coaching staff members of Thailand and Indonesia were banned for six matches and fined at least $1,000 by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The melee between Thailand and Indonesia in the final of SEA Games 32. Photo: Hieu Luong

On the evening of July 11, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee met and issued a series of penalties related to the brawl in the 32nd SEA Games final between Thailand and Indonesia.

Seven Indonesian members - including three players and four coaches and officials - were banned for six matches. Two players, Agung Bagus Fawwazi and Komang Teguh, and three members of the coaching staff, Tegar Diokta, Ahmad Nizar and Toid Sarnadi, were also fined $1,000. Midfielder Taufany Muslihuddin and assistant coach Sahari Gultom were not fined.

Seven members of the Thai team also received similar punishments. Goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart and two assistant coaches Pattarawut Wongsriphuek and Mayeid Mad-Adam were banned for six matches and fined $1,000. Midfielder Chayapipat Supunpasuch and officials Purachet Todsanit, Thirapak Prueangna and Bamrung Boonprom were only banned from attending matches and were not fined.

The AFC also ordered the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to pay a fine of 10,000 USD, but the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) was not fined. In the same announcement, the AFC warned that it would impose heavier penalties on Thailand and Indonesia if similar incidents were to recur.

The men's football final of the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on the evening of May 16 ended with Indonesia winning 5-2 over Thailand after 120 minutes. However, the biggest highlight was the two teams fighting each other twice at the end of the second half and the beginning of the first extra time. The incident damaged the image of Thai football, Indonesia in particular and Southeast Asia in general.

The melee between the two teams Thailand - Indonesia

Indonesia and Thailand fought twice in the final match of SEA Games 32.

A day after the match, Thailand apologized for the incident. On May 23, the FAT issued internal sanctions to the home team members. Accordingly, goalkeeping coach Prasadchok Chokmoh, assistant coach Phatrawut Wongsripuek and team official Mayid Madada were banned from working with national teams for one year. Two players involved in the fight, goalkeeper Sohonwit and reserve player Teerapak, were banned from playing for teams for six months. The FAT went easy on the two players because they were young and apologized after the riot.

Meanwhile, Indonesia did not discipline its team members. "Why should we punish the players?", PSSI President Thohir asked an Indonesian reporter at a press conference in Jakarta on the afternoon of May 24. "Of course, we will discipline them. But basically, I think it was just a spontaneous action when provoked and can be tolerated."

Vinh San

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