February 8, 2008
BANGKOK - A Thai referee needed 50 stitches after he smashed through a window to escape a group of angry football players who beat him up, blaming the official for a costly defeat.
Prakongsuk Kuamala, 41, filed assault charges against four players from Kui Buri football team following the attack on Wednesday in Ayuthaya.
Kui Buri lost to Kasem Bandit 4-1 and the team blamed Prakongsuk for their defeat after the referee sent off three Kui Buri players during the game to decide promotion to the second division, police said.
After the match, Prakongsuk was confronted by four players who beat him up in a stadium office. He managed to get away after smashing through the glass window, according to AFP.
Police have yet to arrest the players as they are compiling more evidence, said Ayuthaya police officer Major Narathip Suthon.
