Chi Cong was suspended for three matches for trampling on a Vietnam U20 player.

Can Tho's central defender also had to pay a fine of 20 million VND for unsportsmanlike behavior.

"Fine 20 million VND and suspend the next three matches for player Tran Chi Cong due to his intentional physical assault on player Truong Thai Quy at Can Tho Stadium," the VFF Disciplinary Board announced the penalty this afternoon, June 12.

Chi Cong's rough play happened in the 70th minute of the 11th round of the V-League 2017 on June 9. After the foul that caused Thai Quy to fall, the home team's center back stomped on his opponent. The incident happened right in front of referee Duc Vu but he did not give a card. Before that, Chi Cong had received a yellow card.

After the penalty was announced, Chi Cong made threatening comments to the Federation and reporters on his personal Facebook page. However, the Can Tho midfielder later deleted this status.

Chi Cong is a veteran defender, having won the V-League in 2014, the National Super Cup in 2008 and played for the Vietnam national team. Chi Cong is also famous for his fierce playing style, sometimes to the point of being brutal, and many teams have reported that he often uses insulting words towards opponents during matches.

Chi Cong has been punished many times for unsportsmanlike behavior. Photo: Duc Dong

In 2015, while playing for Long An, Chi Cong was fined for spitting in the face of defender Van Hoc of Da Nang. Last season, he was suspended for five matches for insulting and threatening referee Duy Lan. In 2011, while playing for Binh Duong, the central defender born in 1983 was seriously injured by gangsters.

According to VNE