South Korean coach, Vietnamese defender set for punishment after altercation

In the 34th minute of the match at Thien Truong Stadium between hosts Nam Dinh FC and Cong An Hanoi (CAHN) on Dec. 9, coach Gong reacted to the referee for not giving a throw-in to CAHN and used his foot to hold onto the ball. During a tussle for the ball, Kien made contact with Gong, who became enraged and took off his jacket. Both received yellow cards as a warning.

V. League rulers Vietnam Professional Football (VPF) confirmed on Monday that the referee’s decision to book both people was correct. However, they also proposed that the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Discipline Committee impose additional penalties on the two for behaviors that negatively affected the image of the league.

Alongside Gong, CAHN assistant coach Le Xuan Hai was also recommended for penalties. Despite being banned from the match with Nam Dinh, he still participated in team activities, like joining players during warm-ups and entering the locker room. Despite warnings from the coordinator, Hai did not comply with the ban.

V. League clubs Binh Dinh FC and Thanh Hoa FC were also proposed for disciplinary action following an altercation at Quy Nhon Stadium also on Dec. 9. VPF proposed VFF to penalize Binh Dinh’s coaching staff for reacting and swearing at Thanh Hoa members. Binh Dinh’s deputy team leader Bui Vo Viet Tuan was recommended for heavy punishment as the instigator.

After the match, Tuan followed and verbally abused Thanh Hoa players who were heading towards the tunnel, leading to further reactions and contact between members of both clubs.

VPF also suggests punishing the organizers of Quy Nhon Stadium for allowing fans to throw water bottles and other objects onto the field towards referees and Thanh Hoa. The away team’s bus was also surrounded by fans outside the stadium and continued to face verbal abuse, during which police had to intervene.

Thanh Hoa FC received seven yellow cards and one red card during the match. Their team doctor Duong Tien Ky was said to also have delayed the match and not allowed the medical team to carry off an injured player. Later, his actions and words provoked the home players and caused an altercation, resulting in a red card.

A further meeting will be held before the punishment for the parties involved is decided.