V-League On-Field Violence: When Hot Heads Burn the Entire League

In the 15th minute at Hang Day Stadium on the evening of September 20, Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN) had the ball. Dinh Bac received a pass in the center, facing Dong Nai defender Van Son. The situation had not yet reached fierce contest when Van Son suddenly raised his elbow and struck Dinh Bac in the face. No one could mistake it: this was not a tactical foul, but a retaliatory message from a mind that could not control itself. Referee Le Vu Linh showed a straight red card, and Van Son left the field. Dinh Bac also received a yellow card for rushing at his opponent, though he made no contact. Just when it seemed things had stopped there, history repeated in the second half with an even more unbelievable scenario. Dinh Bac continued to hold the ball, Tan Sinh followed closely and repeatedly stamped on this striker's feet. Spectators in the stands could hear the roar of frustration. The referee only showed a yellow card, causing a wave of outrage that spread far beyond the pitch. CAHN won 3-0, but that score was not the most worth discussing. What troubled fans was the face of violence appearing too clearly in the early stage of V-League 2026. Just a few weeks earlier, Van Hau was suspended for 4 matches and fined 20 million VND for stepping directly on Doan Ngoc Tan's leg. Now Van Son and Tan Sinh of Dong Nai added to that toll, awaiting the disciplinary committee's scrutiny. Are these isolated incidents, or a chronic disease deeply rooted in Vietnamese football culture? To answer, one must look back at how violent fouls have been handled recently. Van Hau is a typical case. Stepping on an opponent's leg in a challenge, the referee only showed a yellow card. Only when replays were reviewed did the penalty become heavier. This creates a loophole: players know they can "try" a malicious foul because the advantage is great if not detected. If detected, they can appeal to reduce the sentence. The cost of a destructive tackle is sometimes just a few match bans, a small fine compared to a survival contract. One must look at the curve of that number, not just the absolute value. When the cost of foul play is lower than the benefit of victory, players' mentality tilts toward accepting risk. But blaming only the punishment is not enough. Look at the nature of Tan Sinh's foul. Huynh Tan Sinh was once a hope of Vietnamese football, a member of the U20 team at the World Cup, SEA Games champion with U23. For over ten years at the top level, he has faced countless young strikers. What made such an experienced center-back lose control so completely? Watching closely, Dinh Bac had a body movement, leaning slightly toward the opponent, a very annoying "bait" style. For young, technical players, that behavior is often seen as showmanship and provocation. But in modern football, knowing how to hold the ball to draw fouls is a skill. Fans may see Dinh Bac partly at fault, but that does not justify repeated kicks to the shin. A disciplined player would use cleverness to stop the opponent, not use his foot as a weapon. Here, experts and fans are divided. On the Vietnamese Football Fans Club forum, everyone has a voice. Some mention sportsmanship, some worry about the FIFA ASEAN Cup, some criticize the referee for lacking decisiveness. A fan named Hung wrote: "Fouls are inevitable in football. However, deliberate attacks on opponents like this must be eliminated from football." Another said: "The referee team must take responsibility for handling this too lightly. Tan Sinh should have received a red card." Some even mentioned Dinh Bac provoking: "His showboating, provoking style makes him a target and leads to unnecessary injuries." These debates show fans do not endorse violence; they demand a cleaner football environment. The referee team, especially Le Vu Linh, faces great pressure. While TV replays showed Tan Sinh kicking Dinh Bac's leg, he only gave a yellow card. From the referee's perspective, perhaps the viewing angle was poor, and Dinh Bac exaggerated. But that is when VAR should intervene. V-League has used VAR since last season, but its application is still inconsistent. Ignoring a replay in a potentially violent incident will encourage similar fouls. I trust my eyes, but I correct them twice before believing. With a reliable detection system, players will know that raising a leg means being caught. What is more worrying is not just one match. Vietnamese football is heading to the FIFA ASEAN Cup, where the national team needs its best players. Injuries from on-field violence have deprived too many important figures. A fan worried: "I am concerned for Vietnamese players ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup. We have lost too many players to injuries." That statement is true. A destructive tackle not only ruins a match but can ruin a career. Recall serious injuries in V-League, many players out for long periods, leaving gaps difficult to fill. Usually, people say "football is a contact sport." Yes, contact is normal. But there is a line between contact and assault. When a player uses a foot not aimed at the ball but at the ankle, or raises an elbow at the face, it exceeds the scope of sport. That line is being eroded season after season if no one acts decisively. One fan commented: "If Vietnamese football cannot eliminate such violent fouls, we cannot rise. Only technically poor players who cannot control themselves make such crude fouls." That statement is a bit harsh but reflects a reality: mid-level teams often rely on muscular strength to compensate for technical gaps, leading to destructive fouls. The problem is not just Dong Nai players. Looking at the whole season, many teams have a rough style, coached to "tackle hard" to dominate opponents mentally. Pushing intensity is an art, but some players interpret it as "allowed to kick at the shin." It is time for clubs to review their philosophy. Football was born to learn, not to destroy opponents. High sportsmanship is not empty words but must be shown through behavior on the pitch. As for Tan Sinh's case, from a human perspective, it is a great pity. A talented former young player, once competing on international stages, now becomes the center of criticism for lacking restraint. He has been a professional for over 10 years, but a moment of anger can erase all efforts. If the disciplinary committee is strict, he could face a heavy ban, missing an important part of the season. Some say: "His career could be better if he knew how to restrain himself." Indeed, technique can be trained, but character on the pitch determines how far a player goes. From the media and writer's perspective, things must be seen thoroughly. Dinh Bac is not entirely blameless. Excessive skill displays, extra movements that make opponents lose their temper may be seen as "art" in football, but they also push him into risk. He must understand that Vietnamese football does not always allow him to do whatever he wants. But even so, nothing justifies deliberately injuring an opponent. Technical players need protection; that is the first principle of a civilized football culture. Looking ahead, CAHN's 3-0 win does not help them forget a match torn apart by ugly fouls. The organizers need to review the responsibility of the referee, the players, and possibly the ideological education at clubs. Punishments for Van Hau, Van Son, Tan Sinh need careful consideration, not just as deterrence, but to send a message that V-League will never accept violence. Otherwise, the league's image will be increasingly damaged, first and foremost the concern about the national team squad at the FIFA ASEAN Cup. It is time for all sides to sit together, from referees, disciplinary board, to sporting directors and coaches. They are not just holding a whistle or a verdict; they are holding the future of a football nation. In a closed meeting room, no one shouts louder than the one who is afraid. The fear of on-field violence is clearly present. The question is not who caused these fouls, but whether we have enough determination to extinguish them before they burn what is most precious – young talents.