FAT chief resigns after SEA Games fiasco

Somyot had also courted criticism for a brawl during the title showdown involving players and officials from both teams, reports the Bangkok Post.

Indonesia trounced Thailand 5-2 in extra time in the May final that saw players and coaches on both sides clash on two occasions with four red cards issued.

FAT later apologised and handed out lengthy bans to two players, two officials and a coach.

Thai Olympic chief Gen Prawit Wongsuwon said Somyot should take responsibility for the U22 team’s failure to win the gold medal and the brawl that marred the men’s final in Cambodia which had damaged the reputation of Thailand.

“I said before the SEA Games that if the team didn’t get the gold medal, the football chief should step down,” said Prawit. “So now I ask if he would take responsibility and quit his post?

“And then there was a brawl during the final against Indonesia, which wasn’t the first time for our national football team. I find this is unacceptable.”

In a statement, Somyot said Thai deputy prime minister Prawit had ordered him to stand down as president at a meeting last Friday (June 30).

“As President of the Football Association of Thailand… I am ready to follow the order of General Prawit,” Somyot said in Saturday’s statement.

He added that he would notify the Asean Football Federation (AFF), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the international governing body FIFA about the development and the reason behind his resignation.

The game will be remembered for the chaotic scenes which began in the 97^th minute when Thailand – who at one point had been 2-0 down – scored to make it 2-2 and force extra time.

Thai officials celebrated by running over to the Indonesia bench, prompting the first melee, and there was more trouble when Indonesia retook the upper hand early in extra time.