The Ugliest and Most Shameful Fight in Myanmar Football History — The Wunna Theikdi Stadium Riot

Myanmar football has witnessed one of the ugliest and most shameful riots in its history. This major incident took place during a match between Nay Pyi Taw FC and Yangon United, held at Wunna Theikdi Stadium.

The match was played as part of the opening event for Wunna Theikdi Stadium before the 2013 SEA Games. It was also the final match of the 2013 Myanmar National League season.

At that time, Nay Pyi Taw FC normally used Paung Laung Stadium as their home ground. However, the championship race between Nay Pyi Taw FC and Yangon United had been extremely intense. Because the authorities also wanted to officially open the newly built Wunna Theikdi Stadium, the final match between Nay Pyi Taw FC and Yangon United was selected to be played there.

However, the match did not turn into the title-deciding showdown that many people had originally expected.

Before the final round, Nay Pyi Taw FC had drawn 1–1 with Zeyar Shwe Myay. As a result, Yangon United had already secured the Myanmar National League title with a points advantage before the final match was played.

Since it was the day when Yangon United would receive the championship trophy, a large number of Yangon supporters travelled to support their team. Wunna Theikdi Stadium was packed with both Yangon United supporters and Nay Pyi Taw FC supporters.

Although Nay Pyi Taw FC no longer had any hope of winning the championship, the number of their supporters was surprisingly large. One reason for the huge attendance was that entry to the stadium had been made free of charge.

Even before the match began, the rivalry between the supporters was extremely intense. Some fans appeared to be heavily intoxicated and were behaving aggressively.

As kick-off approached, supporters from both sides began exchanging insults, something that was unfortunately common in Myanmar National League matches at the time. The number of spectators continued to grow, and the stadium, which could hold more than 30,000 people, eventually had around 30,000 fans inside.

When the match began, the atmosphere became even more aggressive. Nay Pyi Taw supporters reacted strongly throughout the game, and whenever the referee made a decision, loud insults and protests could be heard echoing around Wunna Theikdi Stadium.

During the match, Yangon United were awarded a penalty. That decision made the atmosphere even more heated.

When the penalty was awarded, some Nay Pyi Taw supporters entered the pitch and confronted the referee. Yangon United successfully converted the penalty and took a 1–0 lead.

After Yangon United scored the opening goal, the tension between the players and the supporters became even more intense.

The situation eventually escalated when Nay Pyi Taw player Khine Htoo kicked Yangon United defender Yan Aung Kyaw in the face with a kung-fu-style kick during the match.

From that moment, the situation completely spiralled out of control.

The incident became extremely serious as Nay Pyi Taw supporters entered the pitch and chased after Yangon United players. Some members of the Nay Pyi Taw team fled, while others attempted to defend themselves.

Supporters also broke seats in the stands, turning what should have been a football celebration into an extremely ugly and chaotic scene.

Some players were also involved in the fighting, and the incident became one of the darkest stains in the history of Myanmar football.

So, today's story is about one of the most unforgettable incidents in Myanmar football history.

Although nearly a decade has passed since the event, the Wunna Theikdi Stadium riot remains something that football fans in Myanmar have not forgotten.

It was undoubtedly one of the ugliest and most shameful moments in the history of Myanmar football.

Thank you very much to each and every one of you for reading until the end.