The disciplinary committee of Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) took disciplinary actions against the players and two finalists of Yangon United and Hanthawady United who were involved in the improper incidents in the final match of General Aung San Shield 2008 Knock-out Football Tournament.  

The final match of General Aung San Shield 2008 Knock-out Football Tournament organized by the MFF took place in Aung San Stadium on September 30 and the championship trophy presentation ceremony followed. 

At the 64th minute of the second half when Yangon United led the game with 2-1 win over Hanthawady United, Min Kyaw Khat wearing No 22 jersey of the former team committed a blatant foul on the player wearing No 19 jersey of the latter team who was dribbling the ball into the penalty area of the opponents’ team. The referee offered a penalty kick to Hanthawady United. The Yangon United player made abusive words to the referee and forcibly pushed the chest of the referee for about three times. Then, the referee sent the Yangon United player off by showing a direct red card and at the meantime the red-carded player made a lot of attempts to be hostile toward the referee. 

At the same time, goalie Kyaw Zin Htet of Yangon United was not happy with the penalty decision of the referee, thereby making abusive comments to the referee and forcibly pushing the chest of the referee. The referee sent the Yangon United goalie off by showing a red card. Afterwards, the Yangon United goalie made abusive words to the referee for several times and the teammates had to persuade him and bring him out of the pitch. The annoying incident halted the match for about five minutes.

The supporters of Yangon United entered the pitch, throwing water bottles at the players, the referees and the match officials and some supporters of Hanthawady United did the same matter. 

At the stoppage time, goalie Kyaw Zin Htet of Yangon United entered the pitch and celebrated together with his teammates and made abusive words to the referees once again. 

Present on the final match among the audience were the heads of Yangon Region Government, high ranking military officials, the officials of the MFF and the football club owners. 

Unprofessional conducts tarnished the prestige image of Myanmar football arena and the MFF. 

Regarding the incidents mentioned above, the disciplinary committee asked the referees who were in-charge of the final match and reviewed the report of the match supervisor as well as watched audio visual records. 

Under the overall assessment, the disciplinary committee punished goalie Kyaw Zin Htet of Yangon United with a 12-match ban in upcoming season and a K 1 million fine, Min Kyaw Khant with a 12-match ban and a K 800,000 fine, Yangon United with a K 1.5 million and Hanthawady United with a K 1 million respectively. 

Translated and Edited by Win Htut