Coach Vu Tien Thanh was fined for criticizing the referee.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Disciplinary Committee sent a dispatch announcing the penalty to Coach Vu Tien Thanh of Ho Chi Minh City Club. At the press conference after the match between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi FC, Mr. Vu Tien Thanh attacked the referee as well as Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoi. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoi is currently the Vice Chairman of the VPF Board of Directors and a member of the VFF Executive Committee, term IX.

VFF's disciplinary decision stated: "Warning and fine of 10,000,000 VND for Mr. Vu Tien Thanh, Head CoachHo Chi Minh City Clubfor making statements that seriously affected the reputation of officials of the Vietnam Football Federation and the image of the tournament at the press conference after the match between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi on April 8.

Disciplinary decision.

This is not the first time Mr. Vu Tien Thanh has made statements attacking the tournament organizers. In the 2023 National Cup qualifying round, Ho Chi Minh City Club was eliminated by Ba Ria Vung Tau. Coach Vu Tien Thanh said that many of VPF's regulations and rules related to the organization of the 2023 National Cup were not appropriate. This military leader compared VPF's organization of the National Cup to "ward tournaments". VPF sent a letter to remind Coach Vu Tien Thanh for his statements in the National Cup.

The match between Ho Chi Minh City Club and Hanoi Club at Thong Nhat Stadium in round 5 of V.league 2023. Photo: VPF.

After the match where Ho Chi Minh City Club lost to Hanoi FC, Coach Vu Tien Thanh said that the statement that the referee caused his team to fail. In addition, the Head Coach of Ho Chi Minh City Club said that the appearance of Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoi - former Chairman of Hanoi FC - in the management of VPF and VFF was unfair, putting pressure on the referee.

Currently, Mr. Vu Tien Thanh's Ho Chi Minh City Club is ranked 12th on the V-League 2023 rankings. This team has only won one match and lost 4 matches. Coach Vu Tien Thanh has led this team since the end of V-League 2022.