Referee of Hanoi - Quang Nam match arrested on suspicion of match-fixing

Referee Pummarin Khamruen, who officiated the match between Hanoi and Quang Nam (Round 25 of V.League 2017) has just been arrested in Thailand for his involvement in match-fixing.

This afternoon (November 21), President of the Football Association of Thailand, Mr. Somyot and Major General Chakthip Chanchinda held a press conference at the National Police Department headquarters about 12 people involved in match-fixing in the Thai League.

The five professional players are Sutipong, Narong Wongtong, Suwittaya Sinchai, Seksan Thongthang and Veerapong Pudsa. The two referees arrested are Mr. Pummarin Khamruen and Teerachit Sithsuka.

Sisaket FC CEO Cherdsak Boonchu was also arrested. In addition, there were four other leaders: Saman, Kittipoom Papupang, Setthapol Komolwattana and Phoomphan Phanannikul.

Referee Khamruen (left) is one of 12 people arrested in Thailand on suspicion of match-fixing. Photo: Khaosod.

These 12 people were involved in 4 Thai League matches 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 (~1.4 billion VND).

Among the 12 people involved, referee Khamruen is quite familiar with Vietnamese football. He was recently invited to officiate the highlight match between Hanoi FC and Quang Nam in round 25 of V.League 2017 (November 19). Before that, he also officiated the friendly match between U22 Vietnam and U20 Argentina in July 2017.

Referee Khamruen (3rd) just officiated the match between Hanoi FC and Quang Nam at Hang Day.

According to Major General Chakthip Chanchinda, these 12 people have been arrested and the authorities are still investigating. He also clarified the penalties for this incident.

Anyone who gives money, valuables or benefits to professional athletes, encouraging them to fix matches, is subject to a penalty of not more than 5 years in prison or a fine of 200,000 – 500,000 baht (~ 140 million VND – 345 million VND) or both.

Any athlete who accepts money, valuable property or benefits to fix a match shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of 200,000 to 500,000 baht. Any referee who accepts property, money or benefits shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one to 10 years or a fine of not more than 300,000 to 600,000 baht or both.

Referee Khamruen (left) is one of 12 people arrested in Thailand on suspicion of match-fixing. Photo: Khaosod.

“People ask if our football will be degraded if we publicize such cases. I answer that if there is a disease in our body, we need to treat it, maybe even with surgery. If we don’t do it, the body will die. We believe this is better. We will not let Thai football be affected by football betting like our neighbors,” said Somyot, president of the Football Association of Thailand.

He also affirmed that the 12 people arrested so far are just the beginning. The Royal Thai Police have invited more people for testing.

According to Webthethao