Buu Ngoc was suspended for four matches for malicious tackle.

The goalkeeper of Can Tho and U23 Vietnam received a penalty after the incident in round 17 of V-League 2016.

The collision caused controversy all week. Photo: Duong Thu.

The penalty was issued after a closed meeting of the Vietnam Football Federation's Disciplinary Board this afternoon, July 26. Accordingly, Buu Ngoc was suspended for four matches and fined 15 million VND for a dangerous foul on Duy Long of Saigon FC.

This incident occurred in the second half of the match at Can Tho Stadium on the afternoon of July 23. Buu Ngoc rushed out of the penalty area and kicked Duy Long with both feet when the visiting player had the ball. The collision injured Duy Long and he had to be carried off on a stretcher. Many people believe that if the Saigon FC midfielder had not flown into the air in that situation, his leg would not have been intact.

Referee Nguyen Trong Thu only gave Buu Ngoc a yellow card, which made public opinion even more heated. Assistant coach Nguyen Duc Thinh was sent to the stands because of his strong objection. Saigon FC President Nguyen Giang Dong later said that Buu Ngoc's actions were no different from a crushing blow.

Buu Ngoc later apologized to Duy Long - his teammate in the U19 and U23 Vietnam teams. The goalkeeper also admitted that it was a dangerous tackle but did not intend to injure his colleague. "If I wanted to hurt Duy Long, I would have gone straight in without pulling my leg back. My leg also had a torn ligament, if I had collided again, I would not have been able to play. At that time, Can Tho was losing the goal and I really just wanted to get the ball quickly. I could not control my emotions during that tackle," Buu Ngoc added.

For assistant Nguyen Duc Thinh, due to the second violation of the referee's reaction in this year's tournament, the VFF Disciplinary Board has increased the penalty, suspending him from duty for four matches and fined him 10 million VND.

According to VNE