Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has imposed an additional disciplinary sanction on head coach HLV Van Sy Son of CLB Quang Nam following his reaction during the match against Hanoi Police FC in Round 13 of the V-League, held on February 15.
The incident occurred during a dramatic match that ended in a 4-4 draw, with HLV Van Sy Son displaying his frustration immediately after Cong An Ha Noi equalized in the 90+7 minute. In light of his behavior, VFF has fined the coach 5 million VND and suspended him from his duties for the next two matches. This decision became effective on February 18, and the coach is required to deposit the fine into the account of the Vietnam Professional Football Company (VPF) within 10 days.
In accordance with Clause 1, Article 58 of the VFF disciplinary regulations, any individual who reacts negatively towards referees, match inspectors, or tournament organizers while they are performing their duties is subject to penalties. The sanctions can range from a caution to a suspension from playing or officiating for at least two matches, along with a minimum fine of 5 million VND. The decision to penalize HLV Van Sy Son underscores the federation’s commitment to upholding discipline and ensuring that all participants adhere to the established rules for fair play and professionalism on the field.
During the match between Quang Nam and Hanoi Police FC, held at Hang Day Stadium, emotions ran high as the game reached its climax. Following the equalizing goal at the dying minutes of the match, coach Van Sy Son became visibly upset and reacted strongly towards the referee. The coach argued that a foul had been committed by a Hanoi Police FC player just before Quang Nam’s key play, which saw Quang Nam’s star playmaker Quang Hai create an opportunity for Alan to equalize the score. The referee, however, had already reviewed the incident using VAR before confirming the goal.
At the subsequent press conference, coach Van Sy Son did not hold back his criticism of the match officials. While acknowledging that VAR technology could clearly indicate whether fouls had occurred, he expressed deep dissatisfaction with the impartiality of the refereeing. He lamented that the lack of fairness in officiating not only undermined his team’s efforts to rejuvenate their playing style but also harmed the overall reputation of Vietnamese football. His remarks have ignited further debate among fans and experts regarding the consistency and quality of match officiating in the domestic league.
The disciplinary action against coach Van Sy Son is not an isolated incident. In the same round of the V-League, head coaches Velizar Popov of Dong A Thanh Hoa and coach Le Duc Tuan of SHB Da Nang were also penalized on the field for their actions, receiving red cards during their respective matches. However, for these two cases, VPF did not request additional sanctions from VFF as the immediate in-game penalties were deemed sufficient. This discrepancy in handling similar incidents has sparked conversations about the need for a more uniform and transparent approach to discipline in Vietnamese football.
Overall, the recent developments reflect VFF’s resolve to maintain high standards of conduct both on and off the pitch. By taking decisive action against unsportsmanlike behavior, the federation aims to ensure that all stakeholders—from coaches and players to referees and officials—adhere strictly to the rules of the game. This move is seen as a necessary step to protect the integrity of the sport and to promote a culture of respect and fairness that is essential for the continued growth and success of Vietnamese football.
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