Football Association Submits Complaint to AFC over Referee Allowing Two Dangerous Clashes in Thailand U20 vs UAE Match (Video)
On 2 September 2026, the Football Association of Thailand under royal patronage, as the host of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Group F, sent a letter to the refereeing department of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The Thai Football Association requested a review and investigation into the referee's performance during the violent collision incidents in the match between Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) U20 teams on 31 August 2026.
In that match, Thailand U20 defeated UAE U20 by 1-0, but there were several violent clashes that could have impacted player safety and caused injuries, with two key incidents requiring detailed examination.
- Occurred during the game when the UAE player wearing number 13 jumped and extended his foot into the foot of Thailand player number 11. This action was violent and posed a high risk of serious injury to the opposing player.
- Took place in injury time at the 90+6 minute mark, when the UAE goalkeeper came out to play a high ball near head level, raising his foot or knee high while jumping, resulting in a collision with a Thailand player. The Thai player sustained a head injury. The referee blew the final whistle without calling a foul or issuing any sanction for this incident.
The Association emphasized that this complaint aims to have the relevant authorities verify the facts and consider whether the referee's actions in the match complied appropriately with the rules, especially concerning player safety, which must be prioritized.
Furthermore, the goal is to ensure the competition proceeds fairly, transparently, and according to international football standards, while assuring all participating teams about player safety and the quality of officiating.