18 players simultaneously sign petition demanding dismissal of Thai head coach

18 female players from Chinese Taipei unexpectedly sign petition demanding dismissal of coach Prasobchoke Chokemor due to dissatisfaction with professional expertise and training methods, despite the team having just reached the Asian quarter-finals.

A rare upheaval occurred within the Chinese Taipei women's national team when as many as 18 players simultaneously signed a petition demanding the removal of head coach Prasobchoke Chokemor. Notably, this strong action emerged immediately after the team had just secured qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 quarter-finals – a result considered positive on the continental level.

At the tournament, the women's national team of Chinese Taipei impressed by defeating Vietnam 1-0 and India 3-1 in the group stage, before being halted by the superior opponent China. However, according to the players' own accounts, the on-field results did not accurately reflect the unstable situation behind the scenes, where numerous issues regarding professional expertise and team operations existed.

In the petition, the group of 18 players expressed a lack of confidence in the current coaching staff. They stated that training sessions lacked systematic structure, training plans were unclear, and tactical approaches caused considerable confusion. Furthermore, some players asserted they had to adjust their playing style mid-match due to receiving no specific guidance from the head coach and his team.

Not limited to professional matters, issues regarding physical fitness and medical care also concerned the team collectively. Some injury cases were attributed to excessive training loads and unsuitable methods. This raised doubts about player management and became one of the main reasons prompting the players to collectively voice their concerns.

Under pressure from the players, the Chinese Taipei Football Association was compelled to intervene. Parties initially agreed on a reform plan with nine items, including replacing the head coach and restructuring the entire coaching staff. However, the decision-making process stalled when a crucial meeting lacked sufficient members for a valid vote, causing everything to be postponed.

The case of Prasobchoke Chokemor became a rare instance in international women's football, where players publicly opposed their coach despite the team achieving decent results. Behind the collective petition lies not only professional conflict, but also reflects deep disagreements regarding trust, development direction, and the players' expectations of the coaching staff in a high-level football environment.