Former Vietnamese national football player Le Sy Manh, 41, has been arrested by Tan Binh District Police in Ho Chi Minh City on charges of disturbing public order following an incident at an amateur football match.

Incident at an amateur football match

The incident occurred on December 22 during the Thanh Hoa Fellow Countrymen Football Tournament held at an artificial turf field in Tan Binh District.

Le Sy Manh, a former national player under coach Henrique Calisto, reacted aggressively after being shown a red card following two yellow cards.

He reportedly kicked and punched referee Pham Van Nguyen in the face.

After the incident, Manh issued an apology on his personal social media account.

A history of aggression

Le Sy Manh has a history of violent behavior in sports.

In 2017, while serving as an assistant coach for Hai Phong FC, he assaulted goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, a Vietnam-Russian dual national, causing Van Lam to sustain a leg injury.

As a result, Manh was dismissed by Hai Phong FC.

Legal consequences and police warnings

Tan Binh District Police have taken swift action to address Manh’s behavior, emphasizing the importance of respecting the law and ensuring public safety.

The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department reiterated its commitment to strictly handle acts of violence and lawlessness, particularly those endangering others’ lives or health over minor disputes during traffic, festivals, or sports events.

Authorities also urged the public to resolve conflicts lawfully and avoid resorting to violence, which often exacerbates problems.

Dam De