V-League 2026-2027 violence: Referees and VAR under scrutiny

Round 2 of the 2026-2027 V-League left a heavy feeling. Not because of professional quality, but because of non-football incidents. Within a few days, fans witnessed a collection of violence: an elbow, a studs-up challenge, and a kick to the stomach. Vietnamese football is now facing a major question: how far will the discipline of the league be protected? In the match between Dong Nai FC and Cong An Hanoi FC on September 20, striker Nguyen Dinh Bac became the target of dangerous challenges. First, Dong Nai defender Le Van Son elbowed Bac. Then, Dong Nai centre-back Huynh Tan Sinh twice followed up with studs-first kicks from behind, aimed at the away striker's legs. These images quickly spread on social media and caused a strong backlash. What made the public even more angry was the decision of referee Le Vu Linh. In the incident where Huynh Tan Sinh deliberately kicked Nguyen Dinh Bac, the referee only showed a yellow card, even though the foul appeared intentional and happened twice. Many experts believe this should have been a direct red card. The absence of a red card means the referee missed a serious foul in a match with VAR support. The context became even more alarming when these incidents followed another series of violent actions in Round 2. Cong An Hanoi defender Doan Van Hau was recorded breaking the leg of The Cong Viettel midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan. Shortly after, Nam Dinh foreign player Ezeqiuel Santos Da Silva kicked SHB Da Nang player Vo Huu Viet Hoang in the stomach. Three major incidents in such a short time seriously damaged the image of the V-League. Soon after, representatives of the league organising committee, the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company, and the Vietnam Football Federation held a direct meeting with the VFF Referee Board. The main content was to ask referees to apply the law correctly, maintain discipline, and prevent violent behaviour on the pitch. The phrase “apply the law correctly” means there can be no missed fouls and no missed cards. This was seen as a strong warning to the refereeing team after a series of controversial decisions. Former VFF professional vice-president and former head of the VFF Referee Board Duong Vu Lam directly pointed out the mistake of referee Le Vu Linh in an interview with Dan Tri. He said: “Referee Le Vu Linh missed a card related to this incident. Huynh Tan Sinh's deliberate kick was too obvious, but he did not receive a red card.” Lam also raised the responsibility of the VAR team, including Vo Hoai Thuong and Nguyen Thanh Son. If the VAR team advised a red card but the main referee overruled it, then the VAR team had completed its duty. On the contrary, if the VAR team did not advise a red card for the deliberate kick, the VAR referees should also be punished. According to Duong Vu Lam, if the disciplinary committee imposes a retrospective ban on Huynh Tan Sinh, referee Le Vu Linh should also be suspended in a similar way. He said that specific punishments for referees are usually not announced publicly. However, fans can notice through the referee appointment list in the next rounds. If the referees involved do not appear in the rounds immediately after, they are likely being disciplined. Duong Vu Lam's comments show the perspective of someone who once managed refereeing work. The issue is not only about punishing players, but also about punishing the referee. If referees are not strict, players will continue to go beyond the limits of football. A yellow card for a deliberate kick is practically an invitation for similar incidents in later rounds. The role of VAR also needs to be reconsidered. VAR should not replace the main referee, but it is the last layer of justice on the pitch. In the incident where Huynh Tan Sinh twice kicked from behind, any VAR referee should have recommended a pitch-side review or at least advised the main referee. If not, the VAR team failed in its task. The question “what did the VAR team advise” should be answered publicly instead of leaving room for endless speculation. In modern football, physical contact is unavoidable. But the line between determination and violence is very thin. Players need to be protected, referees need to be respected, and in return referees must protect player safety with decisive decisions. If an obvious deliberate kick is only punished with a yellow card, honest players will suffer. They can lose their career chances or suffer serious injury simply because a dangerous challenge was not stopped early. Vietnamese football has often been praised for technical play and speed. But in recent days, the league's image has been covered by malicious challenges. Clubs also need to manage their players more strictly. A victory achieved through violence is never a real victory. Fans want to watch football, not a dangerous conflict disguised as a match. What fans are waiting for now is not promises. They want to see punishments strong enough to deter both players and referees. The organising committee has already met with the Referee Board, but the concrete results will only be seen in the next rounds. The absence of controversial names in the referee appointment list, or a retrospective ban for Huynh Tan Sinh, will be the clearest signal. In the previous season, the V-League also witnessed refereeing controversies. This is not a new problem. But without decisive action, incidents like those in Round 2 will soon return. The discipline of the league cannot be protected by meetings if referees continue to miss cards. Vietnamese football needs a clean league where players can play safely and fans can be proud. That starts with the decisions made this weekend.