The manager of the Thai sepak takraw team was utterly baffled after referee Rady called an OVER, prompting a protest and refusal to continue the match.
On 25 May 2026, drama unfolded at the 2026 World Sepak Takraw Championship in Malaysia during the final between Thailand and Malaysia. The incident occurred at a 1-1 set tie. In the third set, with Thailand leading 14-13, Singaporean referee Muhammad Rady awarded a point to Malaysia after Thailand's shot landed, ruling that Thailand had stepped over the line, tying the score at 14-14.
Regarding this, Mr. Uaychai Srisuwan, manager of the Thai national sepak takraw team, revealed via the Sanamtakraw page, "At first, Rady said it was an OVER. Our team challenged the OVER call. The referee then said it was not an OVER and raised a sign indicating no OVER, so the point should have been ours at 15-13."
"But Rady claimed it was a foul because we stepped on the line. According to the rules, stepping on the line is no longer a fault. The heel hadn't even crossed the line, not even the center line. Moreover, stepping on the line isn't a foul under the rules. So how did he end up awarding Malaysia a point to tie it at 14? What is going on?"
Photo courtesy of the page: Sanamtakraw - Sanamtakraw