What did the former FIFA referee say amid the controversy over the Quang Nam - SLNA match?

The first sensitive situation occurred in the 59th minute. From a pass from Peter Samuel, Phan Van Duc had an exemplary dribble but he was impacted by goalkeeper Van Cuong in the penalty area. However, the main referee Nguyen Minh Thuan did not award SLNA a penalty.

According to former FIFA referee Dinh Van Dung:“Phan Van Duc's situation was a dribble out of the goalkeeper's range. When Van Duc pushed the ball away, the Quang Nam goalkeeper rushed in and the SLNA player fell down.

That ball, the TV camera angle was very difficult to observe. And when Phan Van Duc fell down, the Quang Nam goalkeeper covered the collision point between the two players. So with this camera angle, it is impossible to confirm with certainty whether goalkeeper Van Cuong committed a foul on Van Duc or not.

However, if the referee thought it was a collision, player Phan Van Duc would hold his leg, roll around and appear to be in pain. If it was not determined to be a penalty, it means the SLNA player would definitely have received a yellow card. In my opinion, this was a ball that the goalkeeper had not touched, so in that situation, the assistant referee was definitely the one with the best viewing angle.

In the 89th minute, from a chaotic situation in the penalty area, a Quang Nam player headed the ball, Ho Tuan Tai stood on the goal line and used his body to push the ball out and linesman Tran Van Hai confirmed that the ball had gone into the net. Then, main referee Nguyen Minh Thuan recognized the goal, raising the score to 2-1 for Quang Nam.

According to referee Dinh Van Dung, this was a very "brave" and hasty move by main referee Nguyen Minh Thuan, a former FIFA referee commented:“In the situation of Quang Nam’s second goal, the referee and the assistant referee had their vision obstructed. With such an angle of view, the referee would not be able to see whether the ball had crossed the goal line or not.

The referee did not have a good viewing angle in this situation. Photo: On Sports

The assistant - linesman has a better viewing angle than the main referee, but the angle is also blocked by two SLNA players, so it is very difficult for them to confirm whether the ball has crossed the goal line or not. If they are not sure, the rules and principles of the referee are not to make a decision, there must be a consultation. In my opinion, this is a very brave and courageous decision of the main referee."

Also according to former referee Dinh Van Dung, if the referee handled the situation better, SLNA's coaching staff and players would certainly not be so upset:“The goal was awarded at a very sensitive time. The rule is that a goal is awarded only when it is determined that the ball has crossed the goal line, passed both goalposts and under the crossbar.

When it was not possible to determine whether the second goal had crossed the line or not, Ho Tuan Tai received a red card and SLNA was given a penalty. That was a clear goal-stopping situation. If the referee had awarded a penalty to Quang Nam, at least the SLNA players and the audience would not have been so upset.

Referee Dinh Van Dung. Photo: FBNV

After the loss to Quang Nam, SLNA leaders asked the V.League Organizing Committee to review referee Nguyen Minh Thuan. Currently, the Nghe An team is waiting for the results of the VFF Disciplinary Board and Referee Board.

Two controversial situations of the referee in the match between Quang Nam and Song Lam Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - At Tam Ky Stadium, the match between Quang Nam and SLNA in round 8 of V.League 2020, referee Nguyen Minh Thuan had 2 situations that made SLNA suffer bitter consequences. One of them was not to award a penalty when Phan Van Duc was clearly fouled in the penalty area.

Trung Kien