FAT commits not to repeat similar errors
FAT wrote: On October 29, 2025, Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan - FAT Vice President in charge of futsal and beach soccer - was in Hanoi to personally apologize to VFF. The day before, during the draw ceremony for the 2025 Southeast Asian U.19 Futsal Championship held in Thailand, the organizing committee mistakenly displayed the Vietnamese national flag as the Chinese national flag, causing strong reactions on social networks.
Immediately after the incident, FAT sent an official letter of apology to both VFF and the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF). Ms. Nualphan Lamsam (Madame Pang) - President of FAT - also authorized Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan to directly go to Vietnam to express his sincerity and goodwill, and affirmed that this was a personal mistake, with absolutely no intention of offending the country or people of Vietnam.
Photo of the meeting posted by FAT: From left, Vice President of FAT, President of VFF and President of AFF
PHOTO: FAT
At the meeting, Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan discussed with Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, President of VFF, Mr. Nguyen Van Phu - General Secretary of VFF, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Ha - Deputy General Secretary of VFF. The meeting was witnessed by Mr. Winston Lee, General Secretary of AFF.
According to FAT, the meeting took place in a friendly and open atmosphere. VFF expressed sympathy for the unintentional incident and appreciated FAT's prompt and receptive attitude.
FAT pledged to learn from experience, improve its censorship and organization processes, and ensure that similar errors do not recur in future international sporting events hosted by Thailand.
FAT leaders come to VFF headquarters, hand over apology letter after incident of mistakenly displaying Vietnam's national flag
VFF acknowledges FAT's sincere apology and receptive spirit
Meanwhile, on the evening of October 29, VFF also informed about this working session. VFF said that at the beginning of the working session, Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan, Vice President of FAT, read the official apology letter from the President of FAT to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). In the letter, the President of FAT expressed his deep regret and sent his most sincere apology for the incident of mistakenly displaying the Vietnamese national flag during the draw ceremony for the 2025 Southeast Asian U.19 men's futsal championship.
The FAT President affirmed: “We are fully aware of the seriousness of this mistake and take full responsibility for the incident that occurred. The Football Association of Thailand has immediately taken corrective measures, reviewed and tightened the event organization process, to ensure that similar mistakes will not recur.”
VFF also acknowledged the sincere apology from FAT and highly appreciated the proactive, open-minded and respectful spirit that FAT has shown. VFF considers this a serious mistake and affirms that this is also a profound lesson in the preparation and organization of international events, aiming to improve the professionalism of the competition system in Southeast Asia.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/fat-noi-gi-sau-cuoc-gap-xin-loi-vff-vi-su-co-nham-quoc-ky-se-rut-kinh-nghiem-sau-sac-185251029210445962.htm
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