A collage of screenshots shows China’s flag mistakenly displayed instead of Vietnam’s during the draw for the ASEAN U19 Boys’ Futsal Championship 2025.
Although the slip correctly listed the team as ‘Vietnam,’ the Chinese flag appeared on both sides of it during the draw ceremony on Tuesday.
FAT said it would send a delegation led by its vice-president for futsal and beach soccer Adisak Benjasiriwan to Vietnam on Wednesday to personally apologize to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).
In the statement, Benjasiriwan offered “sincere apologies” to the VFF and the Vietnamese public, describing the incident as “deeply regrettable.”
Benjasiriwan affirmed that FAT holds deep respect for all ASEAN member nations and their national symbols.
FAT said it had launched an investigation and identified the event organizer as primarily responsible.
Its president Nualphan Lamsam also sent formal apology letters to the VFF and the ASEAN Football Federation.
FAT stressed the incident was an unintentional human error made without any disrespect, not meant to insult Vietnam, and described it as a lesson in improving oversight while hosting international tournaments.
The ASEAN U19 Boys’ Futsal Championship 2025 is scheduled for December in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
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