Chanathip calls for fans to contribute money to pay the fine after an 'excessive' celebration.

Chanathip drew attention by lighting flares to celebrate and humorously appealed for fans to donate money to pay the fine for the Thai national team.

Chanathip Songkrasin became the center of attention following Thailand's 2-1 victory. against Turkmenistan in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifying round., not only due to his performance on the field but also because of his controversial celebration. The captain and midfielder personally ignited flares in the stands, a rare sight that potentially violates continental football regulations.

After the match, Chanathip quickly spoke up on social media with a humorous tone. He acknowledged the likelihood of facing a penalty and even "called for" fans to each contribute 100 baht to help him pay the fine. This status immediately attracted significant attention from the online community and Thai supporters.

Earlier, while walking around the stadium to thank spectators in the S stand area, Chanathip received a flare from a fan. True to his promise if the team won, he personally lit it and celebrated with great excitement. This moment became even more notable when he climbed onto teammate Jonathan Khemdee's back, creating an image that spread widely across media.

Although the action occurred after the match ended and did not directly affect the professional aspect, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) still faces the risk of a financial penalty from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The specific fine will depend on the match supervisor's report, particularly regarding whether the flares caused any disruption or damage to the stadium.

In the current context, public opinion is awaiting the official decision from AFC. If considered leniently, the penalty might not be too severe. However, this remains a reminder of the strict regulations concerning security and safety in international matches.

In fact, this is not the first time FAT has faced penalties related to flares. In 2022, they were fined $20,000 after defeating Philippines in the AFF Cup. More recently, a similar penalty also occurred in the Asian Beach Soccer Championship. Therefore, Chanathip's action, though spontaneous and emotional, could still lead to significant repercussions for Thai football.