In a heated aftermath following their recent defeat to The Cong Viettel, Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) has taken a firm stand regarding the officiating in their match during Round 20 of the V.League 2024. On April 28, 2025, SLNA officially announced that they received a response from the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) addressing their complaints about the refereeing during the match held at Hang Day Stadium.
The controversy erupted after SLNA sent a document to VPF on April 26, expressing their dissatisfaction with the refereeing decisions made throughout the game. According to SLNA, the match raised significant doubts among fans regarding the quality of officiating, citing several critical situations that they believe unfairly disadvantaged their team.
In their response, VPF acknowledged SLNA's feedback, stating that they "respectfully acknowledge" the information and contributions provided by the club. They emphasized that they had compiled all relevant match materials based on reports and analyses and transferred these to the VFF Refereeing Board for thorough review and evaluation.
VPF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the VFF Refereeing Board in enhancing the quality of officiating, aiming to ensure the success, transparency, and fairness of Vietnam's premier football league. This commitment is crucial, especially in light of the three controversial situations SLNA highlighted, particularly the disallowed goal in the 51st minute of the match.
During this pivotal moment, SLNA believed they had scored, only for the goal to be ruled out by referee Nguyen Viet Dung and his assistant officials, who claimed the ball had gone out of play before the shot was taken. However, SLNA contended that footage from various angles, including recordings from fans, indicated that the ball was still in play when the goal was scored.
Despite receiving signals from the VAR team to review the play, referee Nguyen Viet Dung chose not to revisit the decision, maintaining his stance against the goal. This decision has left SLNA feeling aggrieved, as they believe these contentious rulings directly impacted the match's outcome.
In their communication with VPF, SLNA stressed the importance of ensuring fairness and objectivity in officiating, urging the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to take prompt action regarding refereeing and the application of VAR technology. They expressed a desire to restore trust among fans, not just for their own supporters but for the broader audience of Vietnamese football.
The official response from VPF and the subsequent transfer of the case to the VFF Refereeing Board signal the seriousness of the issue at hand. Fans of SLNA and the football community at large are hopeful that these developments will lead to improvements in refereeing standards, thereby protecting the integrity and excitement of the V.League.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the relationship between officiating bodies and clubs will be scrutinized closely. The VFF Refereeing Board has yet to issue a formal conclusion regarding the disputed situations from the match, leaving many in anticipation of their findings.
In the world of sports, where every decision can sway the outcome of a match, the importance of reliable and fair officiating cannot be overstated. The events surrounding SLNA's recent complaints serve as a reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining the integrity of the game. With the V.League season progressing, all eyes will be on how these issues are addressed moving forward.
In conclusion, the ongoing dialogue between SLNA, VPF, and the VFF Refereeing Board highlights the critical need for transparency and fairness in officiating. As fans eagerly await updates, the hope remains that these discussions will lead to tangible improvements in the officiating landscape of Vietnamese football.
