The Bangkok criminal court has sentenced 15 people, including eight former Thai Premier League footballers, to one to five years in prison in a major match-fixing case that began in 2017.
The crime involved the repeated payment of bribes by five people betting on Thai Premier League football matches. Bribes were paid to the players, an umpire and an assistant referee.
The defendants are expected to face trial in Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chonburi in July and September 2017.
Thirachit Sitthisuk, a former assistant referee, was sentenced to five years and ordered to pay a 2,000 baht fine. Khun Khutak Bunchu, a former director of Sisaket FC, was sentenced to four years and a 2,500 baht fine.
Messrs Phakphum Phannikun and Manit Setthapasit, were both charged with paying bribes and each given four years in prison and a fine of 2,000 baht each. Messrs Wanlop Saman and Kittiphum Paphu-nga, who is also a former well-known football player, were each fined 2,500 baht for two years.
Phummarin Khamruen, a former FIFA referee, was given two years, while Wira Koetphutsa, a former goalkeeper, was given one year. Sexan Chaothonglang, Sutthiphong Laophon, Suwitthaya Namsinglaek and Narong Wongthongkham, former football players, were each given two years.
The others, viz., Messrs. Thirachai Ngamcharoen, Thotsaphon Khamengkit and Ekkaphan Chandakon were each given a year to meditate on their sins.
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