OFFICIAL: VFF releases final verdict on referee who mistakenly awarded a penalty kick

The Vietnam Football Federation has declared that the penalty decision in the Viettel vs. PVF CAND game was a mistake, leading to the referee's suspension from officiating duties.

The Vietnam Football Federation has officially issued a conclusion regarding the controversial incident in the match between The Cong – Viettel and PVF-CAND, which took place in Round 24 of the 2025/26 V.League season. According to a response document sent to the military team on the morning of May 27, the VFF determined that the decision to award a penalty to PVF-CAND by referee Tran Ngoc Nho was incorrect. This incident sparked considerable controversy after the match, as The Cong – Viettel claimed they were unfairly treated at a critical point in the season.

The incident occurred in the 20th minute of the match. At that moment, PVF-CAND’s number 11 player dribbled the ball near the right sideline of The Cong – Viettel’s defensive area before passing it back to his teammate wearing jersey number 79, who was moving inside the penalty box. After a brief touch on the ball and just as he was about to shoot, this player suddenly fell to the ground, prompting the head referee to immediately blow his whistle.

Immediately after the incident, Mr. Tran Ngoc Nho determined that a The Cong – Viettel defender had committed a foul and awarded a penalty to PVF-CAND. This decision instantly drew strong protests from the coaching staff and players of The Cong – Viettel. Many argued that the contact in the play was insufficient to warrant a penalty, especially in a match of great importance during the final stretch of the season.

After receiving feedback from The Cong – Viettel club, the VFF conducted a professional review of the entire incident. The evaluation concluded that the referee’s on‑field judgment was inaccurate. In Document No. 1233/LĐBĐVN-ĐHTT, Vietnam’s football governing body affirmed that the situation lacked sufficient basis for awarding a penalty against the military team.

Beyond issuing the conclusion, the VFF also announced disciplinary measures against referee Tran Ngoc Nho. Specifically, the referee will be temporarily removed from his duties in accordance with the Federation’s current regulations and guidelines from international football bodies. This is seen as a firm move to tighten the quality of officiating in the V.League as matches become increasingly tense and competitive.

The VFF also emphasized that it will continue to closely monitor refereeing work in domestic professional leagues to ensure transparency, fairness, and professional standards. The series of officiating errors this season has drawn significant public attention, as even one incorrect decision can greatly affect the championship race, relegation battles, or the final standings of teams.