TPL wants clubs to uphold integrity of game
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Amid the hullabaloo over the performances of referees, the Thai Premier League is considering inviting the 38 clubs from the country's top two divisions to vow to uphold the integrity of the game as the domestic season enters the home stretch.
Earlier this week, the TPL referees made an unusual move by swearing in front of Emerald Buddha that they would perform their duties honestly. The move followed allegations that some officials were hired to favour certain clubs.
Well aware of the fact that the stakes are high this season, with five teams to be relegated from the 20-team TPL, the league body is considering measures to ensure the game’s integrity when the season reaches its climax.
“We want every team to help find a way to prevent any attempt to buy a referee, which would cause a huge damage to our football. If it does happen, there would certainly be consequences from both the AFC [Asian Football Confederation] and Fifa,” said Ong-art Kohsinkha, the TPL chairman.
“Some clubs suggested that as the referees had made a vow at the Emerald Buddha temple that they would do their job honestly, we should also do the same. It sends out a signal that we will not do anything wrong after taking an oath in front of a sacred thing.”
The football authorities are under pressure as Buriram United president Newin Chidchob is threatening to break away from the country’s topflight football league.
Newin’s outburst against referees came after Buriram, the dominant force in Thai football after winning their second domestic treble last season, beat TPL rivals Rachaburi 2-1 to secure a 3-1 aggregate win to reach the final of the League Cup for the fourth time.
Buriram’s win was blotted by the dismissal of Carmelo Gonzalez. The Spaniard picked up two yellow cards, which consequently ruled him out of the Cup final on October 12 against fellow TPL outfit BEC Tero Sasana.
Clearly upset by Carmelo’s sending-off, Newin told reporters after the match at Rachaburi’s home stadium that his club would break away from TPL to set up a rival league if the refereeing performance was still not up to the standard in two years.
“Losing Carmelo to suspension isn’t a problem for us. We can call upon other players in the team. But, the real problem is the quality and decisions of the referees.
“In the previous match, the assistant referee raised his flag several times for off-side but the referee acted like he didn’t see it. He also didn’t do anything when fouls were committed against our players.
“It should not be long before it [the breakaway] happens. I’m always praying it would not come to that point. But, right now, there’re more than half teams in the league, who felt the same as us.
“Top officials from other clubs have already asked me about the possibility of a breakaway from the league. I think if they don’t address the problem in two years, it would definitely happen,” said Newin, a vocal critic of Thai FA under Worawi Makudi.
