Referee work in recent Vietnamese professional football seasons has often encountered controversies, including the V.League and the First Division. Incorrect decisions have affected the results of matches and created a wave of reactions from clubs, players and spectators.
In the 2024-2025 season, many matches have "heated up" due to controversial decisions by referees. A typical example is the noise related to the match between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong A Thanh Hoa clubs in round 13.
Accordingly, the Thanh team sent an official dispatch to the VFF Complaints Resolution Board for unsatisfactory decisions. After reviewing, the Vietnam Football Federation admitted that there were errors in the match control of referee Le Vu Linh.
Also in round 13 of V.League 2024-2025, SHB Da Nang club filed a complaint about the situation where the referee ignored a mistake that should have been a penalty, causing this team to be held to a draw and affecting the relegation race.
The controversial decisions of the referees not only caused losses in points but also reduced the confidence of the teams and players in the quality of the match management of the "blue shirt kings".
A month ago, at the draw and Schedule of the new V.League season, Mr. Tran Anh Tu - Chairman of the Board of Directors of VPF frankly admitted that there were errors in some matches, which could come from human or professional factors. These mistakes were all handled and learned from by the VFF Referee Board.
Mr. Tran Anh Tu also said: "In the last season, some referees in the V.League still depended on VAR, so controlling the match lacked initiative in some situations, and had to let VAR intervene".
VAR technology is expected to help reduce errors but can unintentionally create a relying mentality in some referees, leading to many confusing and indecision-making situations on the field.
After mistakes in some recent seasons, towards V.League 2025-2026, the VFF Referee Board emphasized the pre-season training process. According to Mr. Tran Anh Tu, the training process is longer, closer and more on-field practice of referees with the goal of minimizing unnecessary errors.
This message of change shows the determination to build a more professional and fair image. With careful preparations before the season, V.League 2025-2026 is expected to have no more controversies about referees, instead of attractive and fair matches.
