Two Thai Players Scored Six Months In The Aftermath Of Chaos In The 2023 SEA Games Final Against The Indonesian National Team

The 2023 SEA Games final match between Thailand and the Indonesian national team was colored by chaos. (Photo via ANTARA PHOTO/M Agung Rajasa)

JAKARTA - Two Thai national team players were suspended from the Thai Football Association (FAT). This is the aftermath of the commotion that occurred in the 2023 SEA Games final against the U-22 Indonesian national team, May 16.

The two players are Soponwit Rakyart and Teerapak Prueangna. They were sanctioned with a six-month ban from playing.

In addition to the two players, the goalkeeping coach and two staff involved in the incident were removed from office for one year.

This decision was taken after the FA formed an investigation committee. The fact-finding team also agreed that the two players and the goalkeeping coach and two other staff were proven to have committed disgraceful actions.

"The fact-finding team agrees that as adults, goalkeeping coaches and team officials must be mature enough to control the situation and set a good example for the players, who are under the age of 22," Thailand's FA said in an official statement quoted by AFP via Antara, Tuesday, May 23.

The Thai FA gave Soponwit Rakyart and Teerapak Prueangna lighter sentences because they were still under the age of 22.

"While they took part in the incident, they were under pressure from the match and had apologized, and they were young, this is the reason to reduce their sentences," the Thai FA said.

In that final match, Thailand, which trailed by two goals from Indonesia, scored at the end of the second half to equalize.

After equalizing, the players and the Thai coaching staff ran towards the Indonesian team's official bench and celebrated which sparked confrontation from both sides so that the match was stopped for a few minutes.

During the extra time round, Indonesia again won over Thailand 3-2. However, another confrontation occurred between the two parties involving the team's officials and the players.

Even the manager of the Indonesian national team, Sumardji, was injured due to a commotion between the players and the officials of the two teams. The incident caused the match to stop again.

After the incident, Indonesia added 2 goals and locked the SEA Games gold medal after 32 years of waiting with a final score of 5-2.

In that match the referee issued a total of four red cards for both teams. Make him the record for most cards in the SEA Games event. The red card was given to one Indonesian player, Komang Teguh. While the rest was given to three Thai players.