Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC has finally dropped a statement to clarify for Cambodian football fans, who have been demanding answers about the match between Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng vs Bangkok United in the Shopee Cup 2025/26 Group Stage, Group B.
Following the controversial decision by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) to strip Cambodia of its home advantage and move the highly anticipated Shopee Cup clash against Thailand’s Bangkok United FC to a neutral ground in Hanoi, Vietnam on April 22nd, the club has come forward to clear its name.
And folks, the stakes are staggeringly high. Here is the breakdown of the “Neutral Venue” drama that has the fanbase raging:
First things first, PKR Svay Rieng wants you to know: their hands were tied. The club management expressed their shared frustration with the fans, emphatically stating that moving the match out of Cambodia was not their call.
Behind closed doors, the club fought tooth and nail. They revealed that since December 2025, they had submitted extensive plans and bulletproof guarantees to the higher-ups to prove they could host the match safely and successfully on home soil—just like they’ve done for countless international matches before.
The club didn’t just accept the ruling quietly; they fought back on sporting grounds. Management repeatedly warned the organizers about the brutal toll this neutral venue would take on the squad. Extra international flights to Hanoi, a horribly congested fixture schedule, and compromised player welfare—it’s a recipe for disaster when trying to field your strongest XI.
But despite their relentless appeals, the final hammer dropped: The match stays in Hanoi.
So, why not just boycott the match in protest? This is where the grim reality of football politics comes in. PKR Svay Rieng laid out the terrifying consequences they would face if they refused to play in Vietnam. Boycotting would trigger apocalyptic sanctions for the club, including a catastrophic fine of up to $1,000,000 USD, a 2-year ban from all other competitions, and additional sanctions that could cripple the franchise.
After consulting with sports law experts and holding intense internal crisis meetings, the club realized they were trapped. Facing total institutional ruin, PKR Svay Rieng has no choice but to pack up and head to Hanoi.
In a heartfelt closing message, the club begged the fans not to aim their anger at the team. “We ask for understanding regarding the situation the club is facing, which is not the club’s fault,” the statement read.
Now, more than ever, they are calling on the Cambodian faithful to stand behind them as they fly to Vietnam, facing impossible odds, to represent the nation on the international stage.
Credit Photo : PKR Svay Rieng
