Pattaya United Fans Fined for Racial Abuse in Thai League 2 Match
Pattaya United fans have been fined a total of 40,000 baht for racially abusing Phrae United players and staff during a Thai League 2 match. The Football Association's disciplinary committee also fined Phrae's assistant coach Pak Hang-so 13,333 baht for provoking the home crowd after the game.
Pattaya United faced consequences after their fans engaged in racial abuse directed at both players and coaching staff of Phrae United, incurring a total fine of 40,000 baht. The incidents occurred during a Thai League 2 match between Pattaya United and Phrae United. After the first half, as Phrae players headed to the dressing room, a group of foreign Pattaya supporters shouted vulgar, demeaning, and racist insults, particularly targeting Phrae striker John Baggio with skin-color slurs. After the match, Phrae's assistant coach Pak Hang-so, who was serving a touchline ban, stood in the tunnel and argued with Pattaya fans, who responded with further vulgar and racist abuse toward players and staff. Regarding the matter, Watcharin Phanurat, chairman of the Football Association's Disciplinary Committee, ruled that Pattaya fans who racially abused John Baggio be fined 20,000 baht, and those who racially abused Pak Hang-so be fined another 20,000 baht. Simultaneously, the committee fined Pak Hang-so 13,333 baht for his provocative behavior, specifically for gesturing to Pattaya supporters in a challenging manner inviting confrontation.
