The punishment was meted out by Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Wednesday afternoon. In addition, Thinh also received a fine of VND40 million ($1,730) and will have to cover Dung's treatment (no more than 15 months of salary).
"Ngo Hoang Thinh is suspended for the rest of 2021 and is not allowed to play in any VFF competition or tournament. The way he plays is too dangerous and has caused serious consequences," said Vu Xuan Thanh, head of VFF's Disciplinary Department.
In the 27th minute of the V. League game on Tuesday, midfielder Thinh of HCMC FC, in an attempt to stop a counterattack, made a two-footed tackle on Hanoi FC's Dung, who collapsed immediately and screamed in pain. The lower half of Dung's shin bone was broken, an injury likely to keep him out of the game for at least a year. He will be absent when Vietnam play their remaining World Cup Asian qualifiers in June.
Thinh’s punishment was similar to an incident in V. League 2014 when a player’s leg was broken after a gruesome tackle from an opponent. Another leg-breaking incident occurred one year later, also in a V. League game.
Thinh said his mistimed tackle was not intentional at all and simply occurred due to the intense nature of the match.
The 28-year-old will also face punishment from HCMC FC, who state his tackle was unacceptable.