LAOS INTERNATIONAL ARRESTED AMID ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH-FIXING ALLEGATIONS
According to The Guardian, Laos international Soukphachan Lueanthala, a winger for Salavan United, has been arrested over alleged match-fixing during the 2026 ASEAN Championship.
The player is suspected of helping coordinate match manipulation linked to a betting syndicate believed to be based in Vietnam.
The Lao Football Federation (LFF) confirmed on 7 August that it had launched an investigation into suspected bribery, illegal gambling and match manipulation before referring the case to police.
Laos lost all four group-stage matches:
Thailand 5–0 Laos
Malaysia 4–0 Laos
Philippines 4–1 Laos
Myanmar 7–2 Laos
The Guardian reports that Lueanthala is in custody, although his arrest has not been officially confirmed by the LFF or Lao police.
The allegations remain under investigation, and no finding of guilt has been reported.