After the heartbreaking incident during the fitness test that caused referee Tran Dinh Thinh to pass away in the early morning of August 4, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and VPF Company expressed their deep condolences to a veteran, dedicated referee.
Mr. Nguyen Van Phu - VFF General Secretary shared: "This is a big loss for Vietnamese football, especially for the national refereeing force. Referee Tran Dinh Thinh is not only a professional referee, serious at work, but also a person who is loved by all his colleagues. His passing left a big void and a pain that could not be put into words.
On behalf of VFF and the Organizing Committee of the training program, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues of referee Tran Dinh Thinh. VFF will coordinate with VPF Company to organize the funeral in the most solemn and meaningful way".
Mr. Tran Anh Tu - Vice President of VFF, Chairman of the Board of Directors of VPF Company said: "I am really shocked and saddened by the passing of referee Tran Dinh Thinh. He is an experienced referee, has made many contributions and has been honored with prestigious professional awards of V.League. The dedication and professionalism of referee Tran Dinh Thinh has always been recognized by us.
This great loss for the Vietnamese referee team. VFF and VPF would like to express our deepest condolences to his family and will work with his relatives to take care of the funeral of referee Tran Dinh Thinh with all our condolences and respect".
Referee Tran Dinh Thinh was born in 1982 in Dong Nai, and began his journey as a horn-playing player in 2010. Having been attached to the professional pitch for more than a decade, he is a familiar face in the V.League and has received the titles of "Coc Con" in the 2023-2024 season, "Coc bac" in the 2024-2025 season - worthy recognition for the ability and enthusiasm of a brave referee.
According to regulations, physical testing is a mandatory content to assess the ability of referees to perform their duties before the new season. During this inspection, VFF had planned many weeks in advance, arranging 4 ambulances and medical staff to be on duty at the scene. Referees are also required to complete health check-ups according to Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT.
However, the heartbreaking incident comes as a reminder of the importance of monitoring personal health, especially for those with high-intensity physical activity.
VFF and VPF affirmed that they will continue to tighten the medical supervision process, improve the quality of physical guidance and consultation, to ensure maximum safety for the refereeing force in the future.
