Chinese, Thai clubs get into brawl during AFC Champions League game

Hosts Zhejiang beat Buriram 3-2 in an intense chase on the scoreboard, but there were a total of seven yellow cards given to both teams following many fouls from the players.

When the game ended, the situation became chaotic when a Buriram player fell down after contact with a Zhejiang player. Striker Ramil Sheydayev rushed into a fight with a Zhejiang player and wrestled with midfielder Zhang Jiaqi. Then Sheydayev was attacked by many other players and stopping the brawl became difficult.

After a minute, the players who remained calm and a large security force were able to separate the hot-headed players. Zhejiang fans continuously chanted “losers” in the stands.

According to Thai newspaper Siam Sport, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will investigate the incident and impose heavy fines on both teams. The Chinese club may have to play on a neutral venue in the next games of AFC Champions League as a punishment.

The victory helped Zhejiang to six points, like Buriram, after five matches, behind Ventforet Kofu and Melbourne City, who have eight points each. In the final round of group H on Dec. 12, Zhejiang will play Melbourne, while Buriram will face Ventforet Kofu.

Zhejiang FC striker Ramil Sheydayev (R) was the center of the brawl at the AFC Champions League game with Thailand’s Buriram United on Nov. 29, 2023. Photo by Buriram United

This is the second time this year that Thai football has been involved in a football brawl. Previously, Thailand got into a fight with Indonesia in the SEA Games 32 men’s football final on May 16.

The incident led to seven Indonesia team members and seven Thailand team members being suspended from international duty in six matches by the AFC and fined $1,000.