The federation’s disciplinary committee described Popov’s behavior as “hot-headed, lacking control and negatively affecting the image of the country’s top-tier league,” leading to the firm sanctions.

The incident occurred during The Cong Viettel’s clash with Thanh Hoa FC at Hang Day Stadium on April 10, part of round 18 of the LPBank V-League 2025-26 season.

Throughout the match, Popov repeatedly protested against refereeing decisions. Despite being warned, he continued his reactions, at one point removing his accreditation badge and throwing it onto the pitch. His conduct ultimately resulted in two yellow cards, equivalent to a red card, sending him off in the closing minutes.

While the disciplinary action has been widely noted, some observers have expressed sympathy for Popov, pointing to what they viewed as inconsistent officiating by referee Nguyen Viet Duan, which sparked significant debate after the match.

The suspension represents a major blow for The Cong Viettel at a critical stage of the season. After 18 matches, the team sits on 38 points, trailing league leaders CAHN (Hanoi Police FC) by seven points in the title race.

With Popov sidelined for four consecutive fixtures, the club now faces a challenging period as it seeks to maintain momentum without its head coach on the touchline.

Dai Nam