Hanoi, 3 August, 2025 – Referee Tran Dinh Thinh, who won the Silver Whistle Award in 2025, collapsed during a mandatory fitness test on the morning of August 1 in preparation for the upcoming V.League 2025/2026 season.
The incident occurred at the Hanoi Indoor Athletics Stadium during the endurance running segment, where referees must complete 10 laps (equivalent to 4 km). According to regulations, referees are required to run 75 meters within 15 seconds, followed by 25 meters of walking within 20 seconds, consistently across 10 laps to pass.
While completing his seventh lap, Thinh suddenly collapsed. On-site medical personnel promptly administered emergency care, including intensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation, before transferring him to Bach Mai Hospital. Reports indicate that the 43-year-old referee is currently undergoing dialysis. His wife has flown from Dong Nai to Hanoi to be by his side.
Tran Dinh Thinh, originally from Dong Nai, is highly regarded for his expertise and fair officiating. He previously won the Bronze Whistle Award in 2024 and the Silver Whistle Award in 2025. Beyond refereeing, he works as a physical education teacher at a local secondary school.
Thinh gained significant recognition during a V.League 2022 match between Hai Phong and Nam Dinh. At that time, a Hai Phong goal was wrongly awarded due to an offside that the assistant referee failed to catch. Although VAR was not yet implemented, Thinh reviewed the stadium’s screen and overturned the goal, earning praise for his integrity.
Northern Vietnam is currently experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching 35-37°C, and in some areas exceeding 38°C, combined with 80% humidity. These harsh conditions likely contributed to the health risks faced during the test.
Out of 62 referees and assistant referees participating in the fitness assessment, 55 successfully passed, achieving a completion rate of 88.7%. Passing the physical fitness test is a mandatory criterion for referees to be eligible for match assignments in the upcoming season.
Dang Long
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