Malaysia Files Complaint Against Three Thai Officials—Dr. Sihasak Hits Back, Demands ISTAF Answer Why This Referee Was Used
Malaysia's Sepak Takraw Association filed a complaint with ISTAF after three Thai officials entered the court during the world championship final in May, while Dr. Sihasak countered that they were invited VIP guests and questioned why a sin
The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association has lodged a formal complaint with the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) against the Thai national team following the world championship final held in Malaysia on May 23. The complaint states that during disruptions caused by protests against a referee's decision in the third match, three Thai officials—Thana Chaiyaprasit (president of the Thai Sepak Takraw Association), Dr. Sihasak Arirachakanya (secretary-general), and Phairojn Acharungrojn (former team manager)—who were not on the official roster entered the court and gathered at the Thai team's bench during competition. Malaysia's Dato Abdullah Saleh, secretary-general of the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association, expressed deep disappointment that these high-ranking officials and sports leaders failed to restore calm or encourage Thai athletes to return and finish the match according to regulations. He stressed that if unhappy with a decision, teams should use ISTAF's formal protest procedures rather than walking out. The incident was broadcast live globally to millions of viewers, damaging the sport's image and the host nation's investment and reputation. ISTAF is being asked to formally investigate this behavior.
Regarding the complaint, Dr. Sihasak stated that Thailand has received the letter and will immediately respond. He noted that both he and Thana were VIP guests invited by the federation to attend, and they will clarify that the final was not a walkout or match abandonment—the Thai team conceded because they were in a state where they could not continue competing due to the referee's injustice.
"In the final match, the federation assigned four interchangeable referees. It's not wrong to use Referee A and B in one game and Referee C in another, but this is a championship final with four referees. Why was there a need for one referee to officiate two games? We learned that the referee roster was predetermined and this specific referee was assigned by the federation from the start," Dr. Sihasak stated.
