Southeast Asian Games: Two Thailand players banned for six months after chaotic brawls in final

The Football Association of Thailand has dished out six-month bans to two of its players for their part in violent melees that broke out during the Southeast Asian Games final against Indonesia last week.

Two team officials and the Thai goalkeeping coach were handed year-long suspensions for their role in two mass brawls during a 5-2 win for Indonesia in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

The two players – goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart and substitute Teerapak Pruengna – received shorter bans when the Football Association of Thailand announced the punishments on Tuesday.

Explaining their reasoning, a statement from the Thai FA said the players’ reduced bans were because of “being in a state of psychological pressure” and dealing with “provocative events” during the game.

Other mitigating factors included showing remorse afterwards with public apologies and the fact that the players are “still in their youth” – Rakyart is 22 and Pruengna 21.

However, goalkeeping coach Prasadchok Chokmoh, and officials Mayid Madadada, and Phatrawut Wongsripuek were given year-long bans.

“The fact-finding team agreed unanimously that as adults, the goalkeeping coach and team officials should be mature enough to control the situation and set a good example for the players, who are aged under 22. They should not lead or take part in the incident,” said the statement.

The chaos was sparked when Thailand scored a last-gasp equaliser to take the game to extra-time at 2-2, after which a brawl broke out in front of the team dugouts.

When Indonesia restored their advantage early in extra-time, fights broke out once again on the sidelines.

Four players were shown red cards in extra-time – three for Thailand – as Indonesia went on to seal their first gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games since 1991.

After the game, the Thai FA said: “The association would like to express its disappointment and apologise for the chaotic incident that occurred off pitch.

“There will be a committee to investigate all those involved and there will be punishment. There will be no protection to those involved.”

There were seemingly no hard feelings after the final whistle, as Indonesia coach Indra Sjafri tried to restore calm.

“I regret that friends from both Thailand and our team [had a row]. But it’s over. We already hugged and forgave each other. This is football,” he said.