Hai Phong will send a complaint to VPF today.

Chairman Tran Manh Hung of Hai Phong confirmed that his team will send a complaint to VPF and VFF today (July 13) to petition about the referee's controversial situation in the Hoang Anh Gia Lai - Hai Phong match in round 15.

Hai Phong believes that Ideguchi's goal (number 36) was scored in an offside position. (Photo: VPF)

The controversy occurred in the 58th minute when Masaaki Ideguchi headed in the opening goal for Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the 1-1 draw between Gia Lai and Hai Phong in round 15 on July 9. Hai Phong players believed that Ideguchi was offside in that situation. They believed that the linesman had raised the flag for offside but withdrew it immediately after the goal was scored. Referee Tran Xuan Nguyen also recognized Hoang Anh Gia Lai's goal.

Hai Phong players and coaching staff reacted strongly to the decision to recognize that goal. Coach Truong Viet Hoang himself - who is famous for his restraint - was very upset: "I have never reacted to the referee from when I was a player until now as a coach. But if it continues like this, no one will come to the stadium to watch and our country's football will not develop. Anyway, thank you guys for trying to get 1 point back."

Speaking to VietnamPlus reporters, Chairman Hung said he is in Ho Chi Minh City with CEO Pham Cong Phuong. Today (July 13), when they return to Hai Phong, they will immediately file a complaint to VPF.

The Hai Phong controversy is just one of many recent referee-related scandals. Previously, referees in the V-League also made many confusing decisions in matches involving Song Lam Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Than Quang Ninh, SHB Da Nang, Saigon FC, etc.

For their part, the 1 point gained against Hoang Anh Gia Lai helped Hai Phong continue to maintain the top position with 33 points, 6 points more than second place SHB Da Nang.

According to Vietnamplus