Thai football clubs appeal after crackdown on hooliganism

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Clubs appeal after crackdown on hooliganism
Kitinan Sanguansak
The Nation


Muangthong United fans sit waiting to offer police help with their investigation into the violence that followed the match against Singhtarua at the weekend.

BANGKOK: -- Violent clashes between rival fans that marred Muangthong United's home league match against Singhtarua last weekend have spawned a landmark in the long-running battle against Thai football hooliganism.

After fighting between Muangthong and Singhtarua fans hogged headlines in the national press, football authorities have a crucial opportunity set a precedent in their effort to stamp out crowd trouble that has long dogged the Thai game.

People are used to seeing mass brawls on the terraces or even the pitch, but the violence that broke out after Muangthong's 3-1 win made headlines because it took place outside the stadium. Never before has crowd violence spilled out and turned the streets into a battleground. With the case in the public spotlight, the Thai Premier League acted swiftly and decisively. Few, though, envisaged just how hard the TPL disciplinary panel would crack down on the two clubs involved.

Singhtarua and three-time TPL champions Muangthong were each slapped with a nine-point deduction and a hefty fine of Bt300,000, while their supporters were banned from attending three matches. The points will be docked after the last round of TPL fixtures.

It was the heaviest punishment meted out in Thai football since Nakhonpathom FC had its licence revoked for two years following crowd violence in its TPL promotion play-off against Srisaket FC in 2010. That match is remembered for the sight of a man brandishing a gun in the middle of the pitch during the heat of the melee.

Muangthong and Singhtarua have launched appeals against what they deem overly harsh punishment. Should it stand, the points deduction would effectively end Muangthong's hopes of reclaiming the title, while Singhtarua would be facing a relegation battle with only three games remaining.

But the sanction could have a more important effect off the field, in efforts to tackle soccer-related violence that has plagued the game for decades. TPL officials have made a shrewd move by cracking down and sending a warning to other clubs and supporters.

The severe punishment has not only silenced those who say the TPL lacks decisiveness in dealing with crowd trouble, it has also banished rumours of double standards applied in its treatment of clubs.

There is a long-held view among fans that league officials do not treat each club equally, with, for example, Muangthong afforded privileged status thanks to close links between the club's management and officialdom at the league and Thai FA.

In handing Muangthong the same punishment as Singhtarua despite confusion over which club was more responsible for the weekend's hooliganism, TPL officials have quelled those doubts.

While the TPL's tough measures don't guarantee an end to violence among fans, they will at least act to deter anyone thinking of causing trouble at football matches in the future.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sports/Clubs-appeal-after-crackdown-on-hooliganism-30246146.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-24

[Bluespunk]

"Never before has crowd violence spilled out and turned the streets into a battleground."

Rubbish. I've been to at least one Thai Port game where the violence spilled out of the ground and continued outside it. The BIB let it happen and just found a safe place to hide.

[chooka]

It's just part of the soccer culture. Property damage and violent brawls go hand in hand with the game. The sport should be banned.

[hansgruber]

Alcohol should not be sold at games.

My kids ask all the time to go watch Phukets team but its just too dangerous. Bottles flying and drunk spectators.

[Bluespunk]

It's just part of the soccer culture. Property damage and violent brawls go hand in hand with the game. The sport should be banned.

No it's not.

Violence at Football games is nothing to do with the culture of the game as those of us who attend on a regular basis know. Violent thugs exist and go to football yes, but they are there for violence not the Football. Look at Western European leagues and see how often it happens.

I'm not saying it never happens because I've been there when it has kicked off, but the vast [and I mean the vast] majority

of fans have nothing and want nothing to do with it.

Violence is not part of the culture of Football, it is a part of societal behaviour that can afflict it, but Football itself is doing all it can to keep out of the game.

Mostly with great success.

[NongKhaiKid]

Didn't the Pres. of the Thai FA sort this out ?

He said shouting things like ' Cheat or Watch the Time ' could result in the game being abandoned. Yes, very provocative !

I'm sure such action would be unlikely to enrage any of the fans.

[tx22cb]

The powers that be needs to nip this in the bud. The last thing we want is to have mass brawls in public, because the Thai police are pretty useless at controlling mobs.

[chooka]

Alcohol should not be sold at games.

My kids ask all the time to go watch Phukets team but its just too dangerous. Bottles flying and drunk spectators.

I will not let my kids get involved with soccer because I love them to much to put them in harms way

[mrtoad]

It's just part of the soccer culture. Property damage and violent brawls go hand in hand with the game. The sport should be banned.

Whereas in Aussie rules, drug taking, sex scandals and violence on the pitch are all hand in hand with the game, and it should be banned.

Seriously, the vast majority of football matches there are not problems. Have watched games all of the world, with little problem. Going to games in the early 80s in the UK was a bit different though.

Sadly, there will always be bellends that attach themselves to clubs, and go for the fights.

[mrtoad]

The powers that be needs to nip this in the bud. The last thing we want is to have mass brawls in public, because the Thai police are pretty useless at controlling mobs.

Lifetime bans from grounds, take away their membership of clubs, travel restrictions and also fine the clubs if they have ongoing crowd problems. The UK was dreadful in the 70s and 80s but far better now, but you do need an effective police force and trained ground stewards.

[SriRachaShark]

By and large, going to Thai football is a pleasant, trouble free experience. However, there have been one or two ugly incidents recently that have made the headlines.

Bluespunk and tx22cb are right about the police and security. As soon as it kicks off they are nowhere to be seen. Also, the TPL/FAT are completely clueless when it comes to dealing with the problem (no real surprise there).

There are a couple of articles here and here that look a bit deeper into this matter.

[DeaconJohn]

Benefits and football are the modern equivalent of bread and circuses.

The proles love them both.

[KonKorat]

I really enjoy going to watch Korat Swatcat games when they play at home,i never seen any trouble,everyone is in party mood.

[Bluespunk]

Benefits and football are the modern equivalent of bread and circuses.

The proles love them both.

Bit dated in our thinking there aren't we, regarding football anyway.

Your benefits pop is just pure prejudice though. Unfortunately that never seems to age and whither away.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Funny really when you think about it, Soccer players play like pre-madona flim flame babies on the field, always faking, oh he kick my foot crap and diving etc, yet the fans have the reputation in Europe and South America as being brutal out of control mungrel rioting hoons, yet rugby is the other way around.

[JOC]

Benefits and football are the modern equivalent of bread and circuses.

The proles love them both.

Spot on!!

But with rolemodels like John Terry and Wayne Rooney, hardly a surprise??

[mrtoad]

Benefits and football are the modern equivalent of bread and circuses.

The proles love them both.

You must have been a Thatcher supporter.

[Bluespunk]

Benefits and football are the modern equivalent of bread and circuses.

The proles love them both.

You must have been a Thatcher supporter.

The knee jerk, prejudicial thinking certainly is the trait of a thatcherite.