Park Hang Seo apologizes for controversial remarks on Thai football

Park Hang Seo, the former head coach of the Vietnam national team and current manager of Kanchanaburi Power, has issued an apology to Thai football fans following controversial remarks made after a Thai League 2 match.

During a 1-1 draw between Kanchanaburi Power and Nakhon Pathom United, Park expressed frustration over refereeing decisions, including a red card and a goal he believed was offside. In the heat of the moment, he stated, “Now I understand why the Thai national team always loses to Vietnam, the unfair decisions of the referees. Perhaps this is the reason why Thai football cannot go further.”

The comments sparked significant backlash from Thai supporters and officials, who accused him of being disrespectful to the nation's football.

In a subsequent statement released through his club, Park apologized for the discomfort caused by his interview. He clarified that his intention was to advocate for higher refereeing standards and a fairer competitive environment to help Thai football develop. He emphasized that he had no intention of disparaging the Thai national team, its players, or the country's footballing culture, and expressed his continued respect for the sport in Thailand.