Colombo, June 11 – The Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL) is set to take disciplinary action against a national team squad member following a controversial post-match incident during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Chinese Taipei.

After Sri Lanka’s 3-1 historic win against 166th-ranked Chinese Taipei on June 10, an unused substitute player, Mohamed Thilham, was seen displaying a shirt bearing the message “PRAY FOR FREE PALESTINE”. The incident occurred during the post-match celebrations at the Colombo Race Course Stadium.

FFSL President Jaswar Umar, responding to media queries, stated that the act was not sanctioned by the federation, calling it “an unnecessary action that violates international football disciplinary norms.”

“This was not something done with the knowledge or approval of the FFSL. Even though it happened after the match, it is still an act that goes against the FIFA Code of Conduct. It was a politically sensitive message displayed on an international platform, which we cannot condone,” said Jaswar.

While many in the public and online community have expressed solidarity with the player’s message, the FFSL is viewing the matter strictly from a governance standpoint.

Thilham, a talented youngster from a remote region and relatively new to the national setup, has shown great promise. However, the FFSL President stressed that

“no personal motivations or emotions can justify violations of international sports protocols.”

Editorial Note:

While some fans hailed Tilham’s act as courageous and principled, others criticized the Sri Lankan Sports TV. Our own Sri Lankan Sports TV team had previously hidden the slogan in our match coverage out of respect for international sporting protocols and to safeguard the player’s future. However, it appears that a section of social media users intentionally spotlighted the statement, which may have contributed to the federation’s decision.

Colombo, June 11 – Sri Lanka bounced back in style in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers with a commanding 3–1 victory over Chinese Taipei in their Group D clash held in Colombo. The win comes as a crucial lifeline for the Lions, who are now level on points with Thailand and firmly in the race for qualification.

After a narrow defeat in their opening match against Thailand, Sri Lanka showcased character, discipline, and attacking flair against a struggling Chinese Taipei side.

De Silva Shines Bright for Sri Lanka

The star of the night was undoubtedly Dillon De Silva, who delivered a match-winning performance. He provided an early assist for Wazeem Razeek before scoring a stunning goal to put Sri Lanka ahead 2–0. De Silva continued to dictate the game and capped off his night with a second assist in the final stages, wrapping up a well-deserved victory for the home side.

“This win is a turning point for us. We showed heart and belief. Our fans deserved this,” said De Silva after the match.

Group D Standings After Matchday 2

Position Team Played W–D–L Goals (F–A) GD Points

The group remains wide open, with Sri Lanka now needing strong results against both Thailand and Turkmenistan to keep their hopes alive for a historic qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia.

What’s Next?

Sri Lanka will next face group leaders Turkmenistan in a crucial encounter. With momentum back on their side and home support growing, the national team will look to carry this energy forward and push for qualification glory.

Ange Postecoglou has been dismissed as Tottenham Hotspur manager just 16 days after guiding the club to a long-awaited European trophy. Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao brought their first major silverware in 17 years.

Despite that success, the club endured a dismal Premier League campaign, finishing 17th after losing 22 of their 38 matches — narrowly avoiding relegation in what was one of their worst top-flight seasons in recent memory.

Postecoglou, 59, had told fans during a celebratory parade that “season three is better than season two,” expressing his commitment to the future. But exactly two years after arriving from Celtic on a four-year deal, his time in north London has come to an end.

In an official statement, Spurs acknowledged the Australian’s achievement, calling the Europa League victory “one of the club’s greatest moments” and noting that he became just the third manager to lead Tottenham to European glory. However, the board emphasized that the decision was made following a thorough review of performances, stating that it “could not be driven by emotions tied to this triumph.”

Postecoglou led Spurs to a fifth-place finish in his debut season and kept his promise to deliver silverware in his second. Reflecting on his departure, he said:

The opportunity to lead one of England’s historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in a dream.

From 101 matches across all competitions, Postecoglou registered 47 wins, 15 draws, and 39 defeats — a win rate of 46.5%.

Brentford’s Thomas Frank is currently tipped as a leading contender to succeed him. Other names reportedly under consideration include Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, and former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, now coaching the United States national team.

— Reporting adapted from BBC Sport, with appreciation for their detailed coverage.