Two Brawls in a SEA Games Final

Indonesia’s players and coaches heard the whistle and began celebrating. They were leading Thailand 2–1 near the end of the men’s football final at the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh on May 16, 2023. But the referee had awarded a free kick, not ended the match. Thailand equalized from it, and the two benches clashed. Before the final was over, another brawl would require stadium security to separate players, coaches and staff.

The under-22 teams were playing for gold at the Olympic Stadium. Indonesia had led 2–0 before Thailand pulled a goal back in the second half. Then Yotsakorn Burapha’s late equalizer undid the Indonesian celebrations and sent the game into extra time. Reuters reported that the goal triggered violent clashes between the benches.

The second outbreak followed Indonesia’s return to the lead early in extra time. Irfan Jauhari scored to make it 3–2; coaches and players from both sides exchanged shoves, punches and kicks. Security intervened to break up the fighting.

Indonesia eventually won 5–2, claiming its first SEA Games men’s football gold since 1991. Four players received red cards. Thailand finished with eight players on the field and Indonesia with 10.

On May 17, the Football Association of Thailand apologized and promised severe punishment for those found to have caused the violence. It said the incidents had damaged the national team’s image and singled out the involvement of coaches and staff for criticism. Those representing Thailand, it said, had a duty to remain calm under pressure.

“The association would like to express its disappointment and apologize for the chaotic incident that occurred off pitch,” it said. The association said a committee would investigate those involved when the team returned home and that there would be “no protection” for them.

Indonesia coach Indra Sjafri took a more forgiving position after the match. “The tension of the match was high,” he told MetroTV. “Let there not be blame on one another. This was a marvelous final.” His team’s gold medal was celebrated by President Joko Widodo.

The Asian Football Confederation said it was investigating. In a statement to Reuters, a spokesperson called the incidents disorderly and stressed fair play, mutual respect and sportsmanship. The confederation said it took a “zero tolerance approach” to such violence.

Disciplinary action followed. Thailand’s football association suspended three coaching staff members from national-team duties for a year and gave two players six-month national-team bans. The AFC imposed six-match bans on three Indonesian players and four staff members, as well as five Thai officials and two Thai players. Neither team lost its medals.