Thailand fined nearly 1.4 billion VND by AFC for flares

Thailand was heavily fined after home fans set off flares at the 2023 AFC U17 Championship quarter-finals.

Flares were used in Thailand's 1-4 loss to South Korea at Pathum Thani Stadium on June 26. On September 8, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) decided to fine Thailand 60,000 USD, equivalent to 1.44 billion VND. If the offense is repeated, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) will face more severe penalties.

The above penalty is the heaviest ever imposed on Thai football in relation to flares. The AFC is strict as this is not the first time Thailand has let this situation happen.

Thai fans set off flares at Pathum Thani Stadium during the home team's 1-4 loss to South Korea in the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFC U17 Championship. Photo: Daily News

Previously, FAT had to pay a fine of 70,000 USD for fans lighting flares at the Asian Beach Soccer Championship in March 2023. The amount is the total of four penalties corresponding to four matches in the tournament.

At the AFF Cup 2022, FAT was fined 20,000 USD by the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) for a similar error in Thailand's 4-0 win over the Philippines in the group stage.

FAT strongly condemned the flare-lighting and asked the police to investigate and find the extremist fans. However, no cases have been handled since FAT announced in late June 2023. AFC had warned that it would ban Thailand from hosting international tournaments, but has never applied a penalty.

Since the beginning of 2023, FAT has been fined a total of 164,000 USD, equivalent to 4 billion VND. In addition to the three flare penalties mentioned above, Thailand was fined 14,000 USD for the brawl with Indonesia at the 32nd SEA Games final in May in Cambodia.

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