T&T Hanoi star striker Le Cong Vinh said he intends to retire after receiving a heavy fine from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) for kneeling in front of a referee during a V-League match on March 21.
Vinh earlier admitted that he was wrong to prostrate himself before the referee, Vu Bao Linh, in the match against Dong Thap. The striker apologised to his fans, the referee and his team.
Vinh’s actions broke the rule that forbids players from offending people. He will be sidelined for six matches and will be fined 10 million VND by the VFF.
T&T will also punish him by fining him one-month’s salary and bonus.
The team captain will be absent until the last round of the V-League’s first leg.
Vinh, who has the right to forward complaints to the VFF within one week of the fine, was shocked when he heard the news.
“I can not believe what I’m hearing in my ears right now and I’m really shocked. I admit that I was wrong. I called to apologise to the referee Linh, teammates and fans,” said Vinh.
“I do not think I would receive such a heavy fine. I am losing my beliefs because I have contributed a lot to the national team, but I am heavily fined for a shooting activity. I want to retire from football now,” Vinh said.
But officials from VFF said the punishment will stand.
Nguyen Van Mui, chairman of the National Referee Council, said that Vinh’s action was unacceptable and offensive to the referee. Mui confirmed that the referee was not wrong when he allowed Dong Thap to have the sideline throw.
The national team head coach Henrique Calisto was surprised, but believed that Vinh had overreacted.
“Vinh is a strong man and a professional player. He will definitely think about his decision. He will change his mind in the next week,” Calisto said.
Last season, Nam Dinh’s Hoang Danh Ngoc was suspended for six matches and had to pay a fine for showing his “dirty finger” to The Cong club’s fans. Previously Nguyen Huy Hoang from Song Lam Nghe An club was suspended for two matches for prostrating himself before a referee during a V-League match in 2006./.
Vinh earlier admitted that he was wrong to prostrate himself before the referee, Vu Bao Linh, in the match against Dong Thap. The striker apologised to his fans, the referee and his team.
Vinh’s actions broke the rule that forbids players from offending people. He will be sidelined for six matches and will be fined 10 million VND by the VFF.
T&T will also punish him by fining him one-month’s salary and bonus.
The team captain will be absent until the last round of the V-League’s first leg.
Vinh, who has the right to forward complaints to the VFF within one week of the fine, was shocked when he heard the news.
“I can not believe what I’m hearing in my ears right now and I’m really shocked. I admit that I was wrong. I called to apologise to the referee Linh, teammates and fans,” said Vinh.
“I do not think I would receive such a heavy fine. I am losing my beliefs because I have contributed a lot to the national team, but I am heavily fined for a shooting activity. I want to retire from football now,” Vinh said.
But officials from VFF said the punishment will stand.
Nguyen Van Mui, chairman of the National Referee Council, said that Vinh’s action was unacceptable and offensive to the referee. Mui confirmed that the referee was not wrong when he allowed Dong Thap to have the sideline throw.
The national team head coach Henrique Calisto was surprised, but believed that Vinh had overreacted.
“Vinh is a strong man and a professional player. He will definitely think about his decision. He will change his mind in the next week,” Calisto said.
Last season, Nam Dinh’s Hoang Danh Ngoc was suspended for six matches and had to pay a fine for showing his “dirty finger” to The Cong club’s fans. Previously Nguyen Huy Hoang from Song Lam Nghe An club was suspended for two matches for prostrating himself before a referee during a V-League match in 2006./.
