Lamphun and Phayao teams have withdrawn after controversy over deliberately missed penalty kicks in the senior sports competition.
On 20 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the 8th National Senior Sports qualifying round for Region 5, "Wiang Kosai Games," took place at Maejo University - Chalerm Phrakiat Stadium, Rong Kwang District, Phrae Province.
A controversy arose during the football match penalty shootout between Lamphun and Phayao. Normally, athletes strive to win, but in this game, both sides appeared unwilling to win, deliberately missing penalty shots clearly off target, resulting in a penalty shootout lasting over half an hour.
Recently, Mr. Songsak Kamdirunrirat, Director of the Region 5 Sports Authority in Chiang Mai and representative of the Sports Authority of Thailand, chaired a meeting to review the incident report.
The Sports Associations of Lamphun and Phayao provinces have decided to officially withdraw their teams from the 8th National Senior Sports qualifying round for Region 5 held in Phrae Province.
The entire incident, including referee reports and video footage from both teams, will be submitted to the Sports Authority of Thailand for disciplinary action under regulations.
This serves as an important lesson for both teams: in sports competitions, giving your best effort is essential.