The men’s football final at the Southeast Asian Games was thrown into chaos, with two mass brawls breaking out and four players being sent off.
Indonesia defeated Thailand 5-2 after extra time in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Brawls broke out between the benches of both teams after Thailand scored an equaliser in added time and again when Indonesia led 3-2 in the first minute of extra time.
Thailand finished the game with eight players on the field.
The Football Association of Thailand said: “The association expresses its regret and wishes to apologise for the chaotic incident that occurred off the pitch.”
“A committee will be set up to investigate all those involved and they will be punished. There will be absolutely no protection for those involved.”
Indonesia’s coach Indra Shahri said, “We are grateful to our friends from Thailand and our team. [had a row]But it’s over now. We’ve already hugged each other and forgiven each other. This is football.”
Indonesia had led 2-1 after a first-half goal from Ramadan Sananta but the referee’s whistle for a Thai free kick led to celebrations from the Indonesian players and coaches, who mistook it for the end of the game.
Anand Yodsanwar scored the equaliser with a free kick, and the Thai players ran to the Indonesian bench in celebration, starting the first brawl.
After Irfan Jauhar scored for Indonesia within seconds of extra time, a second brawl erupted with punches and kicks flying and security had to intervene.
Following the second incident, one player from each team was ejected, as were the coaches.
Goals from Fajar Rahman and Beckman Putra gave Indonesia their first SEA Games gold medal since 1991, while Thailand had two more players sent off for second yellow cards.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it was “disappointed” by the incident and would investigate.
“AFC stresses the importance of fair play, mutual respect and sportsmanship and has a zero-tolerance stance towards such violent behaviour,” the spokesman said.