Van Toan escapes punishment despite reacting to the referee.

The HAGL striker only received a warning after the incident during the match against Thanh Hoa on the afternoon of May 1st.

Van Toan (in white shirt) was fortunate to escape a suspension. Photo: Vien Cong.

This afternoon, May 4th, the Disciplinary Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) met and issued penalties for violations committed during the eighth round of the Toyota V-League 2016.Accordingly, Nguyen Van Toan of HAGL was cautioned for violating Article 60 of the VFF's disciplinary regulations.

After the match between Thanh Hoa and HAGL ended, Van Toan rushed to referee Duc Vu to protest. The number 9 of the visiting team was unhappy because the referee blew the final whistle while HAGL was attacking, and also claimed that referee Duc Vu had been somewhat biased towards the home team during the match.

The fact that Van Toan only received a warning, instead of a suspension, is good news for HAGL. Since Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, and Xuan Truong went abroad to play, the number 9 striker has been the leader in the mountain town team's playing style.

Head of the Disciplinary Committee Nguyen Hai Huong stated that in the incident at Thanh Hoa stadium, Van Toan had several mitigating circumstances. For example, it was the player's first offense, he knew how to control his anger, and he waited until the final whistle before reacting...

Mr. Huong also argued that Van Toan's offense was much less serious than that of Van Quyet (Hanoi T&T), who was suspended for five matches for pushing a referee for "physical assault".

While Van Toan only received a warning, HAGL's assistant coach Tran Duy Quang was fined 5 million VND and banned from coaching for two matches for "reacting inappropriately".

Also this afternoon, the Disciplinary Committee decided to fine Lê Hải Anh of Đồng Tháp 15 million VND and suspend him for three matches for intentionally kicking Mạc Hồng Quân.

According to VNE