Samut Songkhram v Chonburi - The Aftermath: 2012

The aftermath of a controversial match in Samut Songkhram in July, 2012. The game had been played in atrocious conditions and then visiting fans - and a player - were confronted by home supporters after the final whistle.

CLUB TO MAKE OFFICIAL COMPLAINT?

29th July, 2012
 

I have heard through various sources that the club is planning to make an official complaint to the Thai Premier League and the Football Association of Thailand about the events surrounding Saturday's fixture with Samut Songkhram. Club officials have been contacting fans to ask them to supply details about their experiences at the match.

I understand that some of the people approached have already made claims that women and children were threatened by individuals wearing Samut Songkhram colours during the disturbances that followed the Sharks' 1-0 defeat. There are also claims that a Chonburi player, who had made his own way to the ground with his family, was followed by a group of local men in a car after the game. He informed the club's management and the police were called to deal with the matter.

The club already has video and photographic evidence of injuries sustained by Chonburi fans and damage to vehicles belonging to visiting supporters sustained in the violence following the final whistle.

It is also understood that the state of the pitch and the lack of work done by the hosts to make it playable will form a large part of the complaint, along with the dangerous nature of the stand occupied by travelling fans and the lack of security inside and outside the stadium.

Samut Songkhram have already issued an apology and paid for the hospital treatment of those people who were hurt. They have also stated their intentions to improve their facilities in the future but, as far as I'm aware, have made no reference to the shocking state of the playing surface and their failure to deal with it.

HENG BLASTS "THAT" PITCH

29th July, 2012

 

Witthaya Laohkul has launched a blistering attack on the state of Samut Songkhram's pitch. The experienced coach blasted the surface as totally unacceptable for the Thai Premier League and challenged the club's management to improve it.

He told reporters, "We had worked hard to prepare for this match but the conditions were ridiculous." He also revealed that Adul Lahso and Fode Bangaly were fasting for Ramadan and are unlikely to play in Wednesday's FA Cup tie against Buriram.

You can read my thoughts on the state of the pitch here: Glug, glug, glug.