SEA Games 33: Thailand apologizes for the incident during the national anthem ceremony of the U22 Vietnam - Laos match

The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has sent an official letter of apology to the President of the Vietnam Olympic Committee for the incident of not playing the national anthems of Laos and Vietnam in the opening match of the SEA Games.

U22 Vietnam and U22 Laos had to sing the national anthem without music in the opening match. Screenshot

On the afternoon of December 3, the opening match of Group B of the men's football SEA Games 33 between U22 Vietnam and U22 Laos had a rare incident, which surprised the fans. Accordingly, during the flag-raising ceremony before the match - which is a mandatory ritual at all international tournaments, the organizing committee of the host country Thailand did not play the national anthem of both teams.

This incident not only made Vietnamese and Lao fans feel dissatisfied but also made Southeast Asian fans feel confused.

Immediately after the match between U22 Vietnam and U22 Laos, the Organizing Committee of the host country Thailand sent a letter of apology to the President of the Vietnam Olympic Committee. The letter, signed by Secretary of the Thai Sports Organizing Committee - Dr. Gongsak Yodmani, stated: The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand), as the Organizing Committee of the Games (THASOC), would like to send their deepest apologies to all relevant parties for the technical incident that occurred before the match between the Lao PDR and Vietnam on December 3, 2025 at Rajamangala National Stadium. The incident prevented the national anthems of the two teams from being played as planned.

“We are committed to ensuring that such an incident does not recur. Once again, we ask for your understanding and our sincere apologies,” Dr. Gongsak Yodmani affirmed.

Previously, during the national anthem ceremony before the match between U22 Vietnam and U22 Laos, the stadium's sound system suddenly stopped working. Unable to handle the situation in time, the Organizing Committee was forced to let the players and coaches of both teams sing the national anthem without accompaniment.

At the end of the match, U22 Vietnam won 2-1 against U22 Laos in the opening match of Group B of SEA Games 33.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/sea-games-33-thailand-xin-loi-ve-su-co-trong-nghi-thuc-quoc-ca-tran-u22-viet-nam-lao-725560.html