Three members of HCMC FC suspended for V. League violation

HCMC keeper Nguyen Thanh Thang was suspended for three games and fined VND15 million ($651.75) for headbutting assistant referee Nguyen Le Nguyen Thanh in the face, making him lose a tooth.

The incident occurred after the game between Thanh Hoa FC and HCMC FC on April 12. Although Thang was given a yellow, organizers said it was not enough and reported the case to Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Two other members of HCMC also got punished for their involvement in the incident following the match.

HCMC’s Brazilian assistant coach Pena Luis Filipe was suspended for four matches and fined VND15 million, while goalkeeper coach Tran Minh Quang got a two-game suspension and a fine of VND5 million.

After the match with Thanh Hoa FC on Monday, HCMC players and coaching staff accused referees of allowing Thanh Hoa an excess of extra time and thus a chance to equalize in the dying seconds. Filipe, after receiving a second yellow card, kept arguing with the refs. Quang joined in just as the officials were escorted off the pitch by police.

VFF also fined Becamex Binh Duong player Nguyen Thanh Thao for violent play in the game with Song Lam Nghe An on Monday. Thao elbowed an opponent in the face and kicked another in the knee. He was suspended for the next two games and fined VND15 million.