FAT wants cool heads from fans
Top brass wary after Suzuki Cup trouble
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has urged fans to behave during the national team’s World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Rajamangala stadium tomorrow.
The FAT issued a statement yesterday telling fans not to violate the rules along with a list of banned objects.
Included among the objects which are not allowed in the stadium are weapons, glass bottles, flares and things that cause smoke such as electronic cigarettes.
Also banned are whistles, l aser pointers, alcoholic drinks and addictive substances.
Fans are prohibited from taping the match or showing it live on Facebook.
Fans who want to bring cheering equipment into the stadium such as flags, banners and drums must formally seek approval from the FAT by the end of today.
The FAT said the measures were aimed at preventing a recurrence of the flarethrowing that occurred last year at the stadium which led to the country being fined US$30,000 (approximately one million baht).
The incident took place during the second leg of the Suzuki Cup final between Thailand and Indonesia. The Thais won the match and the title. “If there is another incident, we will face harsher punishment,’’ the FAT said.
“The FAT would like to seek your cooperation while watching the match. You should refrain from doing anything which is against the rules or which could cause damage to the reputation of Thai football and Thailand. We should cheer our national team with happiness and for the good image of Thailand.”
Thailand are at the bottom of the sixteam Group B in Asia’s final qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup while Saudi Arabia are the table toppers with 10 points.
With only one point from five games, Kiatisak Senamuang’s men will mainly be playing to salvage some pride.
However, Kiatisak is confident that the War Elephants are capable of upsetting Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk’s men.
Thailand will travel to face Japan, who also have 10 points, next Tuesday.
The top two teams of Group A and Group B earn tickets to Russia 2018.
The two third-place teams meet in a play-off with the winners facing a Concacaf side for another berth.
The Thais have never reached the World Cup finals.