VietNamNet Bridge – Referee Nguyen Duc Vu has been suspended from the second round of V.League after he allegedly made two serious mistakes against Quang Ninh Coal on Sunday.

Nguyen Duc Vu is the first referee fined at the V.League 2017. — VNS Photo

Vu ignored two penalty shootouts for Quang Ninh Coal, who were leading 2-3, in a match against Ha Noi FC at the Hang Day Stadium.

In the first instance, the game was in the 89th minute when Jardel Capistrano was faulted in the box. Vu pointed to give a penalty to Quang Ninh Coal but then changed his mind and let the game continue.

Three minutes later, during extra time, Quach Tan went down in the same area, but Vu did nothing.

Quang Ninh Coal lost the game, and its president Pham Thanh Hung made a formal complaint to the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) and the Viet Nam Professional Football Company, co-organisers of the tournament.

The referee stole not only goals but also the season’s first win from his team, Hung said.

VFF said Vu, who has a FIFA certificate, would be banned from the next round, while he waits for the federation’s final decision.

This is not the first time that Vu has taken wrong decisions. In the 2011 season, he recognised a goal for Long An team but under heavy pressure from SHB Da Nang’s players and fans, he changed his mind.

In 2014, he did not take suitable action though players of Hai Phong and FLC Thanh Hoa almost came to blows on the field.

Last year, Vu is said to have sworn at and threatened Hoang Anh Gia Lai players in a match against FLC Thanh Hoa.

Now, Vu has set a record as the first referee to be suspended at such an early round this season.

VNS