Footballer suspended for dangerous tackle in league game

Toan will be suspended for three games and has to pay a fine of VND15 million (US$634), according to VFF regulations on acts that cause physical harm.

In the 52nd minute of the game between capital clubs Cong An Hanoi (CAHN) and Viettel FC at Hang Day Stadium on Tuesday, Toan made a hard tackle around Duc’s ankle in an attempt to stop him. After a receiving care from the medical team, Duc tried to play for a few minutes, but then left the field on a stretcher.

Referee Nguyen Viet Duan gave Toan a yellow card.

On Wednesday, Vietnam Professional Football JSC (VPF), the league organizer, reviewed the matches in the third round. Toan’s tackle of Duc was considered a highly dangerous play so VPF sent a report of the incident to VFF.

At the moment, Duc’s injury is not as serious as the initial diagnosis suggested. His ankle is still swelling but the 25-year-old player said “I only need a few days of rest to get ready for the next game.”

Nguyen Hoang Duc (2nd, R) with his injured ankle after receiving a hard tackle in a V. League game on February 14, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

CAHN, the newly promoted club in the V. League, is the most active club on the transfer market this season. They have recruited many national team stars such as Doan Van Hau, Phan Van Duc, Ho Tan Tai and To Van Vu, along with Brazilian coach Paulo Foilani. The club had a dream start with a 5-0 thrashing of Binh Dinh, which finished third last season. However, in the next two rounds, CAHN suffered defeats in two capital derbies against Hanoi FC (0-2) and Viettel (1-2).

After two defeats, the club dropped to seventh place. They will play their next game against HAGL on Sunday.