We will hunt flarelighters down, vows Somyot
Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompanmuang says he will take the strongest action against those involved in lighting flares during the second leg of the Asean Championship final at Rajamangala National Stadium on Saturday.
Flares were lit in the section of the venue occupied by a supporter group dubbed “Ultra Thailand” after striker Sirod Chatthong scored the first of his two goals seven minutes before halftime that set them on their way to a 2-0 win over Indonesia.
The result saw the Kingdom overturn the 2-1 first-leg deficit to clinch a record-breaking fifth Asean title with a 3-2 aggregate victory that made them the tournament’s most successful country.
Nevertheless, Thailand could face sanctions from world football’s governing body, Fifa, for the incident by a minority among the generally well-behaved home crowd. Punishment could range from a fine to a ban on hosting a home fixture.
FA boss Somyot yesterday insisted he would pursue the case to the logical end as he sought to bring to justice those who ignored the association’s plea not to take flares or firecrackers into the stadium.
“We now have information about those responsible for the incident. We can’t disclose it at this stage as it could affect the legal proceedings against them. I can tell you that anyone who lit the flares, as well as the instigators, will be held responsible for the offence.
“Their actions were like a slap in the face for someone like me, who is a former national police chief. I asked the police to pursue the case to the end,” said Somyot, who offered a reward of Bt30,000 to anyone who provides tipoffs in the search for the culprits.
