Round 13 of the V-League last weekend was marked by a series of intense on-field reactions and stern criticisms of refereeing during post-match press conferences. Several head coaches openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the officiating, a move that has raised serious questions about the performance of both the match officials and the organizing committee as the league heads into the return leg. This wave of dissent reflects growing concerns among coaches and fans alike that errors by referees are affecting the outcome of games, potentially undermining the fairness and integrity of Vietnamese football.
In a match held on the evening of February 16 at Pleiku, Hoang Anh Gia Lai faced Quy Nhon Binh Dinh in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw, a result described by many as uninspiring. Following the match, Quy Nhon Binh Dinh’s head coach, Bui Doan Quang Huy, stated plainly, “If we want football to develop, we must have dedicated matches and fairness from the match officials.” His call for improved officiating resonated with his counterpart at Hoang Anh Gia Lai, head coach Le Quang Trai, who also expressed his displeasure by remarking, “Affected by the decisions of the referees, I am not satisfied with today’s performance.” These comments highlighted the coaches’ frustration with decisions that they believe have cost teams dearly on the field.
The drama was not confined to these two matches alone. In another game, Binh Duong played Hong Linh Ha Tinh to a 2-2 draw amid controversy over a penalty decision. The controversy centered on an incident in the 65th minute when Bui Vi Hao allegedly handled the ball in the penalty area. The match’s VAR review failed to grant the away team a penalty, a decision that led to heated debates among supporters and critics. The incident was particularly sensitive as television replays did not clearly capture the moment, leaving many to question whether the correct call was made. This uncertainty further fueled the already simmering discontent among the coaching community.
Adding to the turmoil, the VAR referee, Le Vu Linh, who officiated the match between Binh Duong and Hong Linh Ha Tinh, had previously been at the center of controversy in a match on February 14 between Thanh Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City. In that match, head coach Velizar Popov and his assistant, Hoang Thanh Tung, received two indirect red cards following an explosive reaction on the field. Popov even remained on the pitch after the match to voice his anger, only leaving when security intervened. In a similar vein, SHB Da Nang’s head coach, Le Duc Tuan, harshly criticized fourth official Le Duc Thuan during a 1-1 draw between The Cong and Viettel, which resulted in him receiving a direct red card for his unsportsmanlike conduct. Immediately after his dismissal, he continued to direct his ire at the main referee, Nguyen Viet Duan, further intensifying the controversy.
The relentless criticism from the coaching fraternity reached its peak during the post-match press conference of a match where Quang Nam suffered a late equalizer from Hanoi Police FC. Head coach Van Sy Son angrily stated, “If referees continue like this, football will decline. Previously, we even submitted a formal complaint during the match against Song Lam Nghe An, but it seems the head of the referees did not listen.” His remarks, combined with the reactions from other coaches and officials, underscore the urgent need for the VFF’s refereeing department to re-examine its practices. With mounting pressure from all sides, it is clear that improving the standard of officiating is imperative if the league is to maintain its credibility and foster an environment where fair play is the norm on and off the pitch.
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