VFF, VPF demand referees enforce the law after V-League violence wave: Huynh Tan Sinh's yellow card is a wake-up call

On September 20, 2026, the Dong Nai match against Cong An Hanoi carried more tactical meaning than expected. The home side faced heavy pressure against a stronger opponent; the visitors needed three points to stay near the top. But the match was not remembered for its technical flow. It was remembered for two fouls aimed at Nguyen Dinh Bac. Le Van Son threw an elbow. Huynh Tan Sinh kicked from behind after releasing the ball. Referee Le Vu Linh showed only a yellow card to Tan Sinh, while Le Van Son's foul was not punished at a similar level. The stands protested, but the VAR crew stayed silent. About a week earlier, round 2 of V-League 2026-2027 had already witnessed two frightening challenges. Doan Van Hau of Cong An Hanoi broke Doan Ngoc Tan's leg at The Cong Viettel. Foreign player Ezeqiuel Santos Da Silva of Nam Dinh kicked Vo Huu Viet Hoang of SHB Da Nang in the stomach. Those images had not yet faded when Dong Nai repeated the pattern against a Cong An Hanoi player. The frequency of dangerous challenges at the start of the season is abnormal. Because of this, VFF, VPF and V-League organizers met directly with the VFF Referee Board. The demand was clear: enforce the law. The phrase “enforce the law” sounds simple, but it contains a direct instruction: do not allow missed fouls and missed cards to continue. Former VFF professional vice president and former VFF referee board chief Duong Vu Lam did not hesitate to point out referee Le Vu Linh's error. He told Dan Tri: “Referee Le Vu Linh missed a card related to this situation. Huynh Tan Sinh's kick was too obvious, but there was no red card. If Tan Sinh is suspended for this foul after the match, then referee Le Vu Linh should also be suspended. In addition, the responsibility of the VAR team must be clarified.” Duong Vu Lam's comments are important because he did not speak generally. He raised specific responsibility for VAR officials Vo Hoai Thuong and Nguyen Thanh Son. If the VAR team advised a red card but the main referee overruled them, the VAR team did their job. If they did not advise a red card, they must also face consequences. This sets a standard: referees cannot hide behind “human error” when VAR is available. Under football laws, serious foul play or violent conduct requires a red card. Huynh Tan Sinh's kick was not an attempt to play the ball; it was retaliation. A yellow card in that situation is wrong and sends a signal that players can escape severe punishment if they time their fouls properly. “Enforcing the law” is not about public relations; it is about protecting player safety. Based on my experience following V-League matches over many seasons, the problem lies in the referee's control of the game. When the referee allows rough play without strong punishment, players create their own rules. People can argue with emotion about how many matches a player should be suspended. I look at the data: one match, two challenges not attempting to win the ball, one yellow card, and no public VAR advice. In the recent round alone, V-League had at least three challenges with serious injury risk; two came from the same team and targeted the same player. There is no need to guess a player's intention when body language and the direction of the challenge say everything. Violence has cost V-League credibility in front of sponsors. Images of broken legs, stomach kicks and elbows are widely shared on social media. A league attracts attention through tactical battles, but it is judged by unsportsmanlike behavior too. VPF and VFF understand that the image of violence can affect media value, broadcasting rights and fan trust. Many fans think the solution is to suspend violent players heavily. That is necessary but treats the symptom. If referees keep missing fouls and VAR keeps staying silent, other players will learn that violence can be cheap. Discipline in football begins with the referee's decision on the field, not with a post-match ban. For supporters, being blocked outside is the quickest lesson in how things operate inside. Disciplinary decisions toward referees are rarely made public. Duong Vu Lam suggested a way to check: follow the referee list in the next rounds. If a name disappears immediately after, it is likely that referee was suspended. This indirect method is not ideal, but it reflects a lack of transparency. V-League needs to turn “enforce the law” into a verifiable process. That means publishing reasons for a referee's absence, clarifying VAR decisions in sensitive situations, and allowing media access to disciplinary records under the rules. When the disciplinary meeting door closes, referee assignment data is the only access pass for the public. If the next round's list does not include Le Vu Linh, that will be an answer. If he remains on duty, every word about “enforcing the law” is just a statement.