Foreign player CAHN receives verdict on red card in AFC competition

Leo Artur’s suspension in the AFC Cup 2 will also apply to the make-up match of round 10 in the V-League.

The disciplinary sanction for Leo Artur has been clearly determined as VPF issued an official announcement: The striker of Hanoi Police Club will be suspended for the rescheduled round 10 match of the 2025/26 V.League against Thanh Hoa. This decision is based on AFC’s official notice No. AFC/35702/Legal/kgv dated 19/2/2026 regarding cards issued in the second leg of the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Two, as well as Clause 6, Article 11 of the Vietnamese Football Federation’s disciplinary regulations (amended 2026). Thus, Leo Artur’s penalty is transferred to domestic competition rather than waiting to be applied in continental tournaments.

This information closes debates on whether the Brazilian foreign player would be banned from playing in the V.League or not after receiving a direct red card in the second leg against Tampines Rovers. Initially, according to AFC’s standard regulations, a player sent off usually serves suspension only in the next match within AFC competitions, meaning the penalty does not automatically carry over to domestic leagues.

However, in Vietnam there is a special mechanism. The professional football regulations allow the governing body to consider applying disciplinary actions from international tournaments to domestic competitions in specific cases. This ensures strictness and consistency in player management, especially when the penalty arises from serious misconduct on the field.

Leo Artur’s suspension also causes CAHN to be more cautious regarding procedural and personnel matters. Previously, the police-affiliated club suffered a costly “administrative lesson” when AFC awarded a 0-3 loss in the first leg for fielding a player still under suspension, indirectly leading to elimination from the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two season.

Following the defeat to Tampines Rovers and official exit from the continental competition, CAHN faces mounting pressure. Not only have they lost the chance to advance further, but they will also be without Leo Artur in a crucial V.League match, directly impacting the team’s attacking strategy during this intense competitive phase.

Nevertheless, the swift and clear disciplinary decision by the management body like VPF is seen as a move to prevent repeating previous mistakes. For CAHN, the current task is to stabilize the squad, adapt to the personnel shortage, and focus on their domestic objectives where they still have many opportunities to compete for the 2025/26 season title.