Despite securing a routine 2–0 victory over True Bangkok United in the Round of 32 of the 2025/26 Thai FA Cup on December 21, Port FC are facing possible disqualification after breaching the competition’s foreign-player regulations.
Under Thai FA Cup rules for matches involving Thai League 1 clubs, teams are permitted to field a maximum of seven foreign players at any one time—comprising five non-ASEAN foreigners and two ASEAN players.
Against Bangkok United, Port FC named six foreign players in their starting lineup: Brazilians Kaka Mendes and Lucas Tocantins, Japan’s Noboru Shimura, Iraqi defender Rebin Sulaka, and two ASEAN players—Philippines goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard and Indonesia international Asnawi Mangkualam.
The issue arose in the second half when head coach Alexandre Gama introduced two additional foreign players from the bench. Brazilian forward Matheus Lins was substituted on in the 74th minute, followed by Colombian Brayan Perera in the 79th minute. As neither substitution was accompanied by the withdrawal of an existing foreign player, Port were left with eight foreigners on the pitch for a period of time—an explicit violation of FA Cup regulations.
First-half goals from Peeradol Chamrasamee and Teerasak Poephimai had put Port firmly in control of the tie, seemingly easing Gama’s side into the Round of 16. However, the substitution error proved costly. Bangkok United subsequently lodged a formal protest with the Thai FA’s Ethics and Discipline Committee.
Although both Port FC and Gama have issued sincere apologies to supporters, the breach is unlikely to go unpunished. As a result, the Lions of Khlong Toei are expected to forfeit their place in the Round of 16, with Bangkok United set to advance in their stead.