Warning to Cam Pha Stadium organizers

This decision was issued by the Disciplinary Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on the afternoon of October 31st, with the reason that the Organizing Committee of Cam Pha Stadium did not do a good job of security and safety for the match between Than Quang Ninh and Hai Phong in round 23 of the 2017 V-League.

Hai Phong fans light flares during the match against Than Quang Ninh at Cam Pha Stadium in round 23 on October 28. In this match, Hai Phong suffered a 0-1 defeat. Photo: Anh Phan

During the match, local security forces promptly extinguished five flares that were thrown onto the track and set off in the stands by fans from Hai Phong.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Huong (head of the VFF disciplinary committee) said: “In the match between Than Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, the Cam Pha stadium organizing committee increased the security force to 300, including plainclothes and police officers. Although they were very active in checking, they could not absolutely guarantee that spectators would not bring flares into the stadium. When an incident occurred, the members were present on time and put out the fire promptly. Considering this positive aspect as well as mobilizing a large number of forces to perform the task, the disciplinary committee only issued a warning as a punishment.”

In addition, the VFF disciplinary board also decided not to increase the penalties for Do Merlo and Gramoz after both were sent off in the second half of SHB Da Nang's 0-2 loss to Quang Nam in round 23 on October 29 for attacking an opponent without the ball.

Striker Do Merlo (19- SHB Da Nang) used his hand to push Thiago (blue- Quang Nam). Photo: Thang Le

Explaining to Tuoi Tre, Mr. Nguyen Hai Huong said: “Based on the match supervisor’s report and the technical video, we found that before receiving the red card, Gramoz was intentionally stepped on by defender Van Hoc (2-Quang Nam) when he fell. Fortunately, Gramoz managed to pull his hand away. In the above incident, the referee should have given a card to the provocateur, Van Hoc. The Disciplinary Board found that the red card was appropriate and there was no need to increase the penalty.”

Regarding the case of Do Merlo, Mr. Huong said: “Do Merlo was pushed by defender Thiago (Quang Nam), then Do Merlo retaliated by pushing Thiago with his hand instead of throwing a punch. The collision only stopped at that level, so the disciplinary committee found that the red card was reasonable, consistent with the violation.”

According to TTO