Assault on the game
‘ SDue to the attack, Aitsaret has been sacked by his club.
hocking moment footballer FLOORS opponent with Muay Thai elbow”, “Thai footballer fired for brutal elbow attack on rival”, “Thai footballer sacked by Bangkok FC after shocking attack”. Thailand’s football scene made headlines across international media this week from Britain’s The Sun to the SCMP in Hong Kong.
As per the headlines, the media’s attention was grabbed by an onfield incident last Sunday during a Thai League 3 match between Bangkok FC and North Bangkok University FC.
The incident began with North Bangkok University FC’s Supasan Ruangsuphanimit clipping Aitsaret Noichaiboon who then responded with a sharp elbow strike that floored his opponent and saw himself being immediately sent off the field by the referee.
Aitsaret’s team, Bangkok FC, was trailing 3-0 at the time.
Supasan was later sent to the hospital where he required 24 stitches to his upper lip. Doctors said he also suffered a fractured cheekbone and had a blood clot in his nose.
Due to the attack, Aitsaret has been sacked by his club which issued a statement reaffirming its stance against poor sportsmanship and violence in sporting events.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has begun an investigation into the case which was captured on video that has circulated widely online. If found guilty, Aitsaret could have his licence revoked and be banned from professional football for life.
While the swift and decisive actions by Bangkok FC and FAT are to be commended, it’s noteworthy that Aitsaret apologised for his actions via Facebook but his words were perceived by many as insincere. While admitting he was overly aggressive and sorry for what occurred, Aitsaret seemed to try to justify his action by saying it was Supasan who clipped him first.
He erased the part where he referred to his opponent’s action later following an uproar.
The damage that Aitsaret’s behaviour has inflicted upon the reputation of Thai football cannot be easily corrected, despite the country’s progress in the game.
Local fans were jubilant early this year when the national football team — the War Elephants — won the Asean Football Federation Championship, or AFF Suzuki Cup, for a record sixth time.
Our professional football leagues have also come a long way grooming young and aspiring talent many of whom have gone on to make a name for themselves at the regional level.
Amidst all this, the long-cherished dream that the Thai national football team will one day make it to the World Cup has never died.
Earnest efforts have also been invested in fostering sports tourism with the hope that the sector will become another driver in the country’s economy.
But the brazen elbow attack, however, reminds us that while it is necessary to focus on the material developments in the sport there is the soft side where there is the need to cultivate the spirit of sportsmanship and professionalism among athletes.
Without such spirit, any effort to promote Thai football could easily go to waste and be brought down by such shameful incidents as witnessed last Sunday.