On February 28, 2025, the Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security made headlines by sending document number 644/C02-P4 to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), urging them to investigate the refereeing during the hotly contested match between TP.HCM and Dong A Thanh Hoa. This match, which took place on February 14 at Thong Nhat Stadium, ended dramatically with a final score of 2-2.
The clash was officiated by FIFA referee Le Vu Linh, whose performance sparked significant controversy and drew attention from the law enforcement agency. The Thanh Hoa club submitted grievances to the police department, claiming referee Linh and his assistants displayed bias and made decisions detrimental to their team. The allegations included specific instances during the match where the referees were seen as unfair, resulting in several questionable on-field calls.
Thanh Hoa’s statement was detailed, and the club supported its claims with visual evidence. They provided images and even included a USB drive containing video recordings of key moments they deemed problematic. The club said, “We request the police department to examine the referees’ actions during the match against TP.HCM on February 14, 2025.”
Responding to these alarming claims, the VFF acknowledged the circumstances surrounding the incident. They admitted referee Linh committed errors during the match, noting specific offenses such as those observed during the 65th minute, which could have significantly influenced the outcome.
Consequently, both the officiator and relevant officials were suspended from their duties pending investigation. One of the highly debated decisions was the disallowance of what would have been a penalty kick for Thanh Hoa, resulting directly in the frustrating draw. This decision affected the team's momentum and, as they see it, their rightful chance to claim three points from the match.
Also under scrutiny was Linh’s decision to issue a red card to coach Velizar Popov, which some commentators have labeled as misapplication of the rules. The ramifications of this decision were heavily criticized, as it put the club at a distinct disadvantage. Adding to the controversy was the fact TP.HCM’s equalizing goal was scored following a pass from Vo Huy Toan, whose position was offside.
The VFF’s obligation now extends to providing documentation addressing the handling of officiator Le Vu Linh's errors over to the Criminal Police Department. They are expected to outline remedial measures and disciplinary actions stemming from this upheaval.
This incident is not only challenging VFF’s reputation but also highlights the pressing issues of officiation transparency and integrity within Vietnamese football. Authorities are grappling with the fallout as they are under increasing pressure to restore credibility to the sport.
Critics argue this isn’t the first time refereeing has come under fire, and there are calls for comprehensive reviews of how referees are selected and trained. With public sentiment swaying toward calls for reform, prompting swift actions could bolster fans’ confidence and promote fair play.
Looking at the season as it progresses, football aficionados are left wondering how this case will affect forthcoming games, gameplay dynamics, and officiation standards across the league. The resolution of this incident may set precendents for later practices and future dealings with officiation controversies.