We will be honest, referees pledge

Hit by allegations of bribe-taking and match fixing, Thai football referees have taken a pledge of honesty before the Emerald Buddha.

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Chinnasen Thongkomol, right, and referees, led by Thanom Borikut, left, at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. (Photos by Pawat Laopaisarntaksin)

We will be honest, referees pledge

Gambling is a risky business, so it is not surprising that some big-time gamblers try reduce their risks. In football, this often means match-fixing, secretly paying players to perform poorly or paying the referee to favour one team or another.

Whether Thai football referees have been paid to fix matches is not clear, but many people believe that is the case.

The perception is strong enough for the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to take action.

Last Monday, the FAT took more than 100 referees in the local leagues to swear before the Emerald Buddha that they would perform their duty in a straightforward manner.

“We have performed... and will perform our duty with honesty,’’ the match officials said in their oaths.

The FAT was led by its vice-president Chinnasen Thongkomol, who is also chief of the referee committee, while the referees were led by Thanom Borikut.

It is a tradition for many Thais to swear before the Emerald Buddha to prove their honesty.

Gen Chinnasen said this would help compel referees to officiate fairly as those who do not could be punished by the Emerald Buddha.

The domestic competition has been hit by wayward officiating and claims that certain referees take bribes.

The FAT has implemented several measures to stop this and improve the officiating, including using lie detectors, but match-fixing allegations persist.

Thanom, who has been suspended following several controversial calls, said this gesture showed referees were honest.

“But we only have two eyes so it is not likely that everybody will make a correct decision all the time,’’ he said.

Chinnasen added that Thanom would be allowed to return to action after Monday's ritual.

Adapted from a story in the Bangkok Post by Tor Chittinand

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