January 22, 2009

THAILAND’S King’s Cup match against Lebanon descended into chaos yesterday when the Middle East side twice walked off the pitch in protest at foul play that prompted two on-field brawls during the hosts’ 2-1 win in Phuket. 

With 14 minutes remaining, in an apparent case of mistaken identity, Zakaria Charara struck Surat Sukha in the head in retaliation for his twin brother Suree’s earlier foul.

After the ensuing brawl, Lebanon stormed off the field in protest and only returned after Thai soccer president Worawi Makudi intervened.

Five minutes later, Suree escaped a booking by the Thai referee after another vicious tackle on Charara, who started another melee by slapping Suree and captain Datsakorn Thonglao in the face.

Lebanon again left the field in protest but returned five minutes later, only for the embattled referee to blow the final whistle prematurely to prevent further brawling.