PHUKET: Football authorities have fined Phuket FC 10,000 baht because of the unacceptable behavior of fans during a weekend home game.
The hefty fine came because Phuket supporters threw objects at the referee after one of the Phuket players was red-carded.
A small group of Phuket fans have a reputation for unsporting behavior and for disputing referees' decisions.
Phuket FC is likely to warn fans that unruly behavior in future could see individuals banned from home matches at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City.
It's not the first time that the island team has been penalised for unacceptable fan behavior.
Phuket FC needed a win on Saturday against Big Bang Chula United Football Club to regain momentum in its drive for promotion to the Premier League from Division One.
Instead, Phuket had to settle for a 2-2 draw, slipped from fifth to eighth place on the table, and has been hit with a fine.
Redemption could come as soon as Wednesday, though, as Phuket faces an FA Cup match against Premier league title holders, Muang Thong United, at the SCG Stadium in Nonthaburi Province.
It would be simple to dismiss Phuket's hopes but football is the strangest of games and Phuket will certainly give it a go.
Promotion to Premier League seems about as likely as a win on Wednesday, with Phuket slipping from a fighting fifth place to eighth, with six wins, eight draws and three losses cutting the islanders adrift from the leading pack.
The hefty fine came because Phuket supporters threw objects at the referee after one of the Phuket players was red-carded.
A small group of Phuket fans have a reputation for unsporting behavior and for disputing referees' decisions.
Phuket FC is likely to warn fans that unruly behavior in future could see individuals banned from home matches at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City.
It's not the first time that the island team has been penalised for unacceptable fan behavior.
Phuket FC needed a win on Saturday against Big Bang Chula United Football Club to regain momentum in its drive for promotion to the Premier League from Division One.
Instead, Phuket had to settle for a 2-2 draw, slipped from fifth to eighth place on the table, and has been hit with a fine.
Redemption could come as soon as Wednesday, though, as Phuket faces an FA Cup match against Premier league title holders, Muang Thong United, at the SCG Stadium in Nonthaburi Province.
It would be simple to dismiss Phuket's hopes but football is the strangest of games and Phuket will certainly give it a go.
Promotion to Premier League seems about as likely as a win on Wednesday, with Phuket slipping from a fighting fifth place to eighth, with six wins, eight draws and three losses cutting the islanders adrift from the leading pack.
