“Coach Indra Sjafri accepts apology from Thai officials after SEA Games 2023 incident”

REPORT FROM CAMBODIA

CNN Indonesia

Wednesday, May 17 2023 14:31 WIB

Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —

Coach U-22 Indonesian National Team Indra Sjafri accepted the apology from Thai officials for hitting Indonesian manager Sumardji in the final SEA Games 2023 at the Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Tuesday (16/5).

The Thai official approached Sumardji and Indra Sjafri in the dining room of the Phnom Penh Hotel, Cambodia, Wednesday (17/5). While crying and hugging Sumardji, the Thai national team official apologized.

“Because there was an incident yesterday, Thai officials celebrated bench We. Earlier he came to Mr. Sumardji, I happened to be there, and he apologized to the point where he cried,” said Indra Sjafri to CNNIndonesia.com.

“Yes, we say that’s football. We only fight on the field, but outside of that we have to forgive each other,” continued the 60-year-old coach.

Indra Sjafri said that the Thai national team had realized their mistake, especially celebrating the goal in front of the Indonesian bench. The former Bali United coach was also reluctant to prolong the problem.

“They realized their mistake. Therefore he came himself to apologize and asked that this matter not be questioned in the future. We also don’t want to make it a problem,” said Indra Sjafri.

“This is their initiative, because they want it check out today, and he came earlier at breakfast. Why conflict. We also here have no desire like yesterday’s incident, but the tension and the situation that made the dynamics of the match made them do this,” said Indra.

Two Thai national team officials and three Thai players received red cards when they were defeated by Indonesia in the 2023 SEA Games final.

(ikw/har)