Hanoi, 11 September, 2025 – The Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) has officially suspended rising star Dang Thi Hong from competition starting in September 2025, in compliance with a ruling from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
The decision was announced after an emergency meeting held by VFV on September 11. According to the ruling, Dang Thi Hong will not be eligible to participate in any tournaments organized under VFV’s jurisdiction. This includes the remainder of the 2025 National Championship, which is about to enter its second phase.
The suspension stems from the FIVB’s disciplinary action during the 2025 U21 Women’s World Championship in Indonesia last month. At that tournament, FIVB determined that one member of the Vietnam U21 women’s team did not meet eligibility requirements. While the player’s identity was not publicly disclosed at the time, it has now been confirmed to be 2006-born outside hitter Dang Thi Hong.
As a result of the violation, FIVB retroactively ruled Vietnam’s four matches featuring the ineligible player as forfeits, erasing all previous results. The player was immediately removed from the tournament. In subsequent matches, Dang Thi Hong was visibly absent from the lineup, forced to watch from the stands as a spectator. The tournament’s official website also deleted her match records, underscoring the seriousness of the ruling.
Because FIVB sanctions apply across all member federations, Dang Thi Hong is banned from competing not only in Vietnam but also in any official international competitions where eligibility criteria are not met. This effectively sidelines one of Vietnam’s most promising young players at a crucial stage of her development.
The VFV emphasized that their decision is not punitive but a matter of compliance. “This is a ruling from the FIVB, and as a member federation we must uphold international regulations. Our responsibility now is to ensure due process while safeguarding the interests and reputation of both the athlete and Vietnamese volleyball,” VFV stated after the meeting.
The Sports Authority of Vietnam has instructed VFV to continue legal discussions with FIVB regarding the case. However, as of now, no new details have emerged about any appeal or possible reconsideration of the sanction.
For Dang Thi Hong, who just turned 19 this year and had been viewed as a cornerstone for the national youth teams, the suspension is a significant setback. Known for her powerful attacking play and potential to break into the senior national team in the near future, she will now face months, if not longer, away from competitive volleyball.
The situation also highlights the growing importance of compliance and eligibility checks in international sports. While the case is still under legal review, it serves as a reminder of the strict standards applied by governing bodies like the FIVB and the challenges federations face in balancing athlete development with adherence to regulations.
Thuy Trang
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