The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has enlisted spiritual help in its attempt to eradicate alleged match-fixing by referees.
Chinnasen Thongkomol, right, and referees, led by Thanom Borikut, left, at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. (Photo by Pawat Laopaisarntaksin)
Running out of ideas, the FAT on Monday took more than 100 referees in the local leagues to swear before the Emerald Buddha that they would perform their duty in a straightforward manner.
“We have performed... and will perform our duty with honesty,’’ the match officials said in their oaths.
The FAT was led by its vice-president Chinnasen Thongkomol, who is also chief of the referee committee, while the referees were led by Thanom Borikut.
It is a tradition for many Thais to swear before the Emerald Buddha to prove their honesty.
Decades ago, one of Thailand's top strikers insisted before the Emerald Buddha that he did not throw a match.
Gen Chinnasen said this would help compel referees to officiate fairly as those who do not could be punished by the Emerald Buddha.
The domestic competition has been hit by wayward officiating and claims that certain referees take bribes.
The FAT has implemented several measures to stop this and improve the officiating, including using lie-detectors, but match-fixing allegations persist.
Thanom, who has been suspended following several controversial calls, said this gesture showed referees were honest.
“But we only have two eyes so it is not likely that everybody will make a correct decision all the time,’’ he said.
Chinnasen added that Thanom would be allowed to return to action after yesterday's function.
Dusit Chalermsan, coach of Thai Premier League side Singhtarua, hopes refereeing would improve as a result.
“I hope Thai football will become better after they took oath before the Emerald Buddha,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, BEC Tero Sasana moved to second in the TPL after beating Army United 2-1 on Sunday night.
Gilbert Koomson (25) and Chanathip Songkrasin (59) scored for the Fire Dragons, while Chainarong Tathong (84) was on target for the visitors.
