T&T Hanoi star striker Le Cong Vinh admitted that he was wrong to prostrate himself before referee Vu Bao Linh in the match against Dong Thap on March 20.

Hanoi T&T expected to win the match against Dong Thap on March 21 to strengthen its top position at V-League 2010. By the 58^th minute, the club was trounced 2-0. In the 84^th minute, the gap narrowed to 2-1, thanks to Elokan’s goal. In the last attack, Cong Vinh led the ball to the sideline and a Dong Thap fullback blocked the ball.

It was very difficult to know who ultimately touched the ball just before it went out of bounds. Referee Vu Bao Linh allowed Dong Thap to take control despite the disappointment of Vietnam’s top striker, Cong Vinh. Immediately, Cong Vinh threw himself down on the ground before the referee. For that act, he got a yellow card.

One day after this incident, Cong Vinh repented. He said his act was ebullient, caused by his poor performance and his team’s failure, so he couldn’t control his behavior.

“I didn’t intend to offend referee Vu Bao Linh and his assistants,” Vinh claimed.

The striker said that he called the referee to apologize after the match. “I admit that I’m wrong. I would like to apologize to the fans, my teammates and the Dong Thap audience. I hope to be forgiven and to still be supported. I promise not to repeat this mistake again,” Vinh stated.

Vinh’s club – T&T Hanoi – asked the striker to report the case. Apart from the fine imposed by his club, the striker may also be penalized by the V-League board.

Nguyen Van Mui, Chair of the National Referee Council, remarked that Vinh’s act is unacceptable and offensive to the honor of referees. Mui confirmed that referee Vu Bao Linh was not wrong when he allowed Dong Thap to have the sideline throw.

“If the penalty was not appropriate, we would ask the organizing board to impose a more serious fine to protect the prestige and honor of Vietnamese referees,” Mui noted.

The V-League organizing board reported this case to the Vietnam Football Federation’s Disciplinary Board. The board’s chief, Le Hai Huong, observed that, if the referee’s decision is correct, Vinh would be heavily penalized. The toughest fine may be suspension from several matches.

Last football season, Nam Dinh club’s Hoang Danh Ngoc was suspended for six matches and had to pay fine for showing his “dirty thumb” to The Cong club’s fans. Previously Huy Hoang from Song Lam Nghe An club was suspended for two matches for prostrating himself before a referee at V-League 2006.

PV