Thai football referee assaulted
A football match in the Second Division of Thai football between Satun United and Khon Kaen United ended in a 1-0 victory for the visiting club, but that is not all. A large group of Satun United "fans" ran onto the field afterwards and assaulted the referee, Mr. Pichit Tongchangmoon. The reason was that they did not agree with the decision to send two home team players off the field with a red card.
A video shows how he is attacked, punched and beaten and he "officially". admits that he made a mistake twice. He is then appalled by the local police and transported to a hospital.
Press conference
On Monday morning he convenes a press conference in a hotel in Hat Yai and refutes his previous statements about the red cards as being incorrect. I only acknowledged my “mistakes” to satisfy the demands of the “fans” because I feared for my life. There were up to 200 people around me, pushing, pulling and beating and the police force was unable to contain the gang.
My decisions during the match were indeed correct. I sent the first player off the field after a second yellow card, because he didn't stop playing after a whistle signal from me. The second player received a straight red card for knocking down a broken player.
Thai Football Association
The Thai Football Association is investigating and Satun United can expect a fine of 100.000 Baht plus a ban from playing two home games at home.
Law enforcement
But the game also got a tail for the local police. The local police chief was immediately suspended and transferred for his underestimation of the possible violence that was present. Only 30 police officers were present at the scene in front of several thousand spectators.
Postscript Gringo
It hardly needs saying that as a former referee and football fan I don't have a good word for the so-called fans. Whatever happens and whatever decision the referee makes, you keep your feet off that man. I therefore think that the possible punishment mentioned is only moderate.
Source: Bangkok Post