People Are Confused After Indonesia Given ‘Fair Play’ Award at AFF Suzuki Cup

By
Shawn Ambrose
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According to FIFA—the International Federation of Association Football—a “Fair Play” award is given to a player or team as a recognition of “exemplary behaviour that promotes the spirit of fair play and compassion in association football around the world.”

In other words, it’s for players and teams who display sportsmanship, such as kicking the ball out of play so an injured opposing player can get treatment.

Mocking an opposing player after he’s just missed a crucial penalty, however, would not qualify one for this award.

Under normal circumstances, that is.

People Are Confused After Indonesia Given ‘Fair Play’ Award at AFF Suzuki Cup

After knocking Singapore out in the semi-finals of the biennial AFF Suzuki Cup, Indonesia were defeated by Thailand in the final, beaten 6-2 over two legs.

Indonesia didn’t walk away from the tournament empty-handed however, as they were given the “Fair Play” award.

This came as a surprise to some viewers, who noted that Indonesia had committed a total of 143 fouls and incurred 13 yellow cards in the competition.

A Vietnamese news outlet questioned the decision to give the award to Indonesia, saying that several dangerous fouls had been committed by Indonesian players during their group game with Vietnam.

Netizens here also brought up the fact that Indonesian captain Asnawi Mangkualam had mocked Singaporean winger Faris Ramli after he missed a penalty in their semi-final encounter.

After Ramli’s penalty was saved, Mangkualam rushed to the Singaporean and knelt in front of him, mouthing what looked like a “thank you” to Ramli.

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A Consolation Prize, Not a Sportsmanship Award

But it turns out that this “Fair Play” award isn’t what we think it is.

Unlike the FIFA Fair Play award, which rewards sporting behaviour, the Suzuki Cup “Fair Play” award is a consolation prize given to the runner-ups of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

This is a practice that was started in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup, where Malaysia received the same award.

So, it’s an award that basically says: hey, fair play for getting this far in the competition. 

Renaming the award would certainly help.

Indonesian Captain Warned

Mangukualam didn’t walk away scot-free after his unsporting act, as Indonesia’s manager Shin Tae-yong issued a stern warning.

He told Mangukualam “not think about joining the national team” if he does such a thing again, at least while Shin is the head coach.

“Everyone on the pitch is a colleague, how heartbreaking it must have been for the player to not score a penalty kick. It is unacceptable to celebrate goals on the opponent’s bench,” Shin added.

Mangukualam has since reassured his coach that he will not commit such an act again.

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]