15 match-fixing suspects shake up Thai football
A series of Thai club officials, referees, players... are about to be prosecuted for participating in betting on the Thai League national championship.
According to Thai press, on March 13, Thai National Police Chief Chakthip Chanjinda and his assistant Manu Memok sent a 3,000-page report to the Thai Attorney General's Office to prepare to prosecute the case.
 |
| Referee Pummarin Khamruen was invited to officiate V-League 2017. |
While previously the Thai police kept the investigation secret, they have now publicly revealed the identities of the players suspected of match-fixing, with a total of 15 suspects.
Accordingly, there are 8 players: Suthipong, Wongthongkham, Suwithaya, Seksan (Navy Club); Theerachai, Thossapon (Si Sa Ket Club); Ekapan (former Si Sa ket player); goalkeeper Weera Kerdputsa (Nakhon Ratchasima). The remaining people who are about to be prosecuted include team officials and referees.
Notably, among the referees, the Black Shirt King Phumarin Kamruen is also a suspect. Pumarin Khamruen was the referee invited by VPF to officiate the match between Hanoi and Quang Nam in round 25 of V-League 2017.
It is known that 15 suspects are involved in fixing the scores of 4 matches within the Thai League taking place on July 20, July 26, September 10 and September 17 with the total amount of money involved believed to be more than 2 million baht (about 1.4 billion VND).
If found guilty, players could face up to five years in prison and fines ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 baht, while referees could face fines ranging from 300,000 to 600,000 baht and up to 10 years in prison.
