SINGAPORE : The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) is to meet
Sunday to discuss possible sanctions over Thailand's walk-off in
the regional final, as questions were raised over the penalty that
sparked the storm.
The Thai team stormed off the pitch on Wednesday in the first leg
of the ASEAN final after a controversial refereeing decision gave
Singapore a penalty eight minutes from time.
Mustafic Fahrudin converted the spotkick to hand Singapore a 2-1
victory.
AFF head of delegation Ibrahim Saad said the matter will be tabled
at a meeting in Bangkok on Sunday, when the second leg is scheduled
to start at 7:00 pm (1200 GMT).
"We will wait for the match commissioner and referee's report and
then will bring the matter up at the meeting," he told Singapore's
TODAY newspaper.
Once the AFF make a decision it will be referred to the Asian
Football Confederation who will then decide if any action needs to
be taken against Thailand, he added.
The 15-minute walk-off was triggered by Malaysian referee C.
Ravichandran adjudging that Thai centre-back Niweat Siriwong fouled
Singapore striker Noh Alam Shah.
But Noh said he was amazed when a penalty was given.
"I was stunned. I did not expect a penalty," he told the Straits
Times Friday.
"When I first saw the referee walking towards me, I though he was
going to book me."
If Noh had been booked he would have missed Sunday's second
leg.
Ravichandran has refused to comment, but another Singaporean
player, Shahril Ishak, was also surprised a penalty was
given.
"I was preparing to go back to my own half as I thought a free kick
would be given to the Thais," he told the Times.
"I was surprised when he pointed to the spot instead."
A tense atmosphere is expected in Bangkok on Sunday and the
Football Association of Singapore said it had raised the issue of
security with its Thai counterparts.
Thai police have said they will boost their presence at the stadium
due to the row.
Singapore newspapers reported that some fans have already cancelled
their trips to Bangkok, fearing reprisals. - AFP