ISTAF Process 8 Members of the Thai Team After the World Cup Sepak Takraw Final Incident

SINGAPORE - The International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) has decided to continue the disciplinary process against eight members of the Thai team after the incident that occurred in the final of the TM ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup Kuala Lumpur 2026.

The five players of the Thai Third Team and three team officials consisting of two coaches and one manager are now facing an official disciplinary process following the incident in the final match against Malaysia last May.

The decision was made in an ISTAF Disciplinary Committee meeting held online on Thursday (19/6) and attended by 10 country representatives.

In an official statement delivered by ISTAF Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Halim Kader from Singapore, Friday (20/6), the committee stated that it had studied the report of the match equipment, complaints from the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM), video recordings of the match, as well as explanations from the Thai Sepak Takraw Association (TAT).

The committee assessed that there were sufficient reasons to bring the case to a further disciplinary stage.

"There is sufficient basis to continue the disciplinary process against the five players of the Thai Third Team," read an official statement from the ISTAF Disciplinary Committee, quoted on Saturday, June 20.

The five players are suspected of refusing to continue the match. Meanwhile, two coaches and a team manager were also processed for allegedly directing, supporting, or not preventing the action.

ISTAF emphasized that the issue could not be taken lightly because it concerned the integrity of international competitions.

"This issue needs to be handled firmly and fairly to maintain the integrity, discipline, and future of international sepak takraw sports," wrote ISTAF.

The federation considers this step important, especially ahead of the implementation of the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games and the 2030 Doha Asian Games.

The official indictment against the eight individuals is scheduled to be issued no later than June 20, 2026. They will be given 14 days to submit a written response to the charges.

After that, the ISTAF Disciplinary Committee will continue the trial and make a decision based on the information and evidence submitted in accordance with the ISTAF Constitution and Regulations.

On the other hand, seven Thai players from the First Team and the Second Team who were also in the match area when the incident took place were decided to receive only a stern warning.

According to ISTAF, their actions can be considered as provocation, but do not fall into the category of violations that require further disciplinary processes.

In addition to receiving a reprimand, the seven players were required to sign a statement to respect the decision of the match officials, comply with ISTAF regulations, not interfere with the course of the match, and uphold sportsmanship and the principle of fair play.

ISTAF also asked the Thai Sepak Takraw Association to apologize publicly to the international sepak takraw community and spectators for the incident.

"Every disciplinary violation, both at the national and international levels, will be handled seriously," said ISTAF.

However, the federation emphasized that all disciplinary enforcement processes were still carried out fairly, transparently, and based on the principle of due process to maintain the dignity, credibility, and future of the world's sepak takraw sport.