Referee Tran Dinh Thinh passed away after the first physical test of the season.
After an incident occurred during a physical test to prepare for the 2025-2026 season, referee Tran Dinh Thinh was taken to the emergency room but did not survive. His sudden passing left many people in the Vietnamese football community in mourning.
Vietnamese football received sad news when referee Tran Dinh Thinh passed away on the morning of August 4 at the hospital, after a day of emergency treatment following a physical examination in Hanoi organized by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).
During the FIFA standard test on August 3, referee Tran Dinh Thinh showed signs of instability and could not continue the test.
He received first aid at the scene, then was transferred to the hospital by ambulance with representatives of VFF and Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) on duty.
Despite intensive treatment, he did not survive.
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At the passing of an experienced referee, the Vietnamese football community expressed deep condolences.
VFF Vice President - Mr. Tran Anh Tu shared: “I am truly shocked and heartbroken by the passing of referee Tran Dinh Thinh. He is an experienced referee, has many contributions and has been honored at prestigious professional awards of V.League. Referee Tran Dinh Thinh's dedication and professionalism have always been recognized by us. This is a huge loss for the Vietnamese referee team. The Vietnam Football Federation would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and will work with his relatives to take care of the funeral of referee Tran Dinh Thinh with all our sorrow and respect.”
Referee Tran Dinh Thinh was born in 1982 in Dong Nai, and started his refereeing career in 2010. He was honored with the title "Bronze Whistle" for the 2023 - 2024 season and "Silver Whistle" for the 2024 - 2025 season, noble awards for excellent referees in the national professional tournament system.
“During more than a decade of working in national football tournaments, referee Tran Dinh Thinh always showed composure, seriousness and courage in the assigned matches. His passing is a loss not only to his family and friends but also to a generation of referees striving for the development of Vietnamese football,” VFF wrote in a statement.
Currently, VFF and VPF are closely coordinating with the family to organize the most complete and solemn funeral for referee Tran Dinh Thinh./.
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