Round 5 of the V.League and some noteworthy disciplinary actions.

Accordingly, the Disciplinary Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation fined Dong A Thanh Hoa 40 million VND for having 7 players receive yellow cards in the match against MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh; fined the Quy Nhon Stadium Organizing Committee 30 million VND for allowing objects to be thrown onto the field and compromising security and safety; and fined and suspended several other individuals for other violations…

It's worth emphasizing that almost all those penalized or reprimanded were key figures in the teams, such as head coaches, assistant coaches, deputy team leaders, doctors, and the entire coaching staff and stadium organizers. This means that the violations in Round 5 have made the already heated V.League even more intense, forcing the Federation's Disciplinary Committee to quickly intervene and take action.

Delving deeper into the causes of the aforementioned violations, it's clear that they all stemmed from the unprofessionalism of individuals and teams in managing and handling the situation on the field. The match left a noisy and regrettable aftermath, most notably at the Quy Nhon stadium, where the home team fell behind 0-3, then managed to pull back to 2-3, leading to heated and unrestrained actions on the field by the home team's players in response to the visiting team's time-wasting and rough play. Instead of helping the players stabilize their mentality for the game, the home team's coaching staff engaged in aggressive behavior and inappropriate reactions towards the visiting team's players and coaching staff. Meanwhile, the Quy Nhon stadium organizers allowed spectators to become agitated and throw objects onto the field, further jeopardizing security and safety not only for the visiting team's players but also for public order after the match.

In the current V.League, attendance at stadiums to support and encourage players doesn't always reach the desired numbers. Some stadiums are packed with spectators, like Hang Day, Lach Tray, and Thien Truong, while others see dwindling crowds, such as Thong Nhat, Vinh, and Pleiku. Quy Nhon Stadium, recently, hasn't been known for large attendance either. Yet, just one match with a poor result immediately led to chaotic and unruly behavior, which is highly reprehensible and could even lead to a stadium closure if not promptly addressed.

The lesson learned from the harsh penalties imposed on the individuals and teams mentioned above is the need to be proactive in all developments on the field, in the stands, and in the technical areas of the teams. The V.League is showing that no match is easy for the stadium organizers, referees, players, or the large number of fans. The fierce competition among the teams is the basis for exciting matches, for the fighting spirit and dedication of the players, but it will be difficult for referees to handle situations on the field.

Personal conflicts and impulsive behavior can easily arise on the field, in the stands, or in the technical areas of the teams... Therefore, if the stadium organizers have sufficient plans and personnel to proactively prevent and handle these situations, and if individuals respect the rules, their opponents, and the spectators, then all unwanted incidents and events can be minimized.

Following the disciplinary issues in Round 5 of the V.League, it's also worth recalling the admirable behavior and actions of players on the field, which are being praised and encouraged by the public. This includes the way senior player Van Quyet (Hanoi FC) treated his junior player Quang Vinh (Song Lam Nghe An) after being fouled, saying, "We're brothers, not uncle and nephew," and encouraging them to try harder! It's also the detail of senior players Xuan Manh and Van Hoang staying behind to chat and encourage their younger teammates after Hanoi FC's 2-0 victory over Song Lam Nghe An, urging them to "try to overcome this difficult period"...

Of course, football is a game for men, a fierce competition on the pitch, meaning clashes, arguments, and controversies are inevitable. But on the field there are referees, rules, mutual respect among players, supervision from those in charge, the media, and thousands of eyes watching. Ultimately, no one wants to have to issue penalties to individuals and teams. But surely, any penalty serves as a deterrent, preventing future offenses and giving those who violate the rules a chance to correct their mistakes, contributing to the successful conclusion of the tournament.

Hopefully, after round 5 of the V.League, similar violations will not recur and will not have a place to occur, primarily due to the awareness and responsibility of those involved. A large number of fans agree with the Disciplinary Committee's actions and will continue to support and cheer on the matches in the V.League 2023-2024 as well as all other matches and tournaments, truly helping to raise the quality of the league and Vietnamese football towards a further development in the future.