Thai footballers face Sunday match ban

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Thai players and officials face suspension from Sunday's second and final leg of the Asean championship series following the team's dramatic first-leg walkout against rivals Singapore, the Asean Football Federation said on Thursday.

Singapore won a bitterly-fought match 2-1 on Wednesday after the Thai players walked off the field for 15 minutes following a hotly disputed penalty award to Singapore eight minutes from time. Singapore eventually scored the penalty and won 2-1.

Anyone found guilty of orchestrating the protest or manhandling the referee could be banned from the second leg in Bangkok on Sunday.

"The Asean Football Federation are studying the relevant reports from the match commissioner and referees inspector," an AFF spokesman told the Reuters news agency.

"Based on the records, action will be taken against anyone guilty of wrong-doing in the 1st leg."

A capacity crowd at the Singapore National Stadium booed and jeered as the Thai team walked, preventing the penalty being taken.



Anyone watched the game the other day? I was shocked when the Thai players walked off the pitch.