March 7 – A Vietnam international defender has been handed what is reported to be record 28-game ban for an horrendous tackle that broke the leg of an opponent in a domestic league match.
Tran Dinh Dong was banned by his national federation for the foul on Nguyen Anh Hung, who is expected to be sidelined for a year.
Dong said he would appeal the verdict which also stipulated he should pay Hung’s medical bills.
“The punishment is meant to be a warning to players throughout the nation, where violent behaviour on the field has gradually become more popular,” the VFF said in a statement.
But Tran’s coach Nguyen Huu Thang said the sentence was handed down under media pressure: “We will appeal because his absence would strongly affect our name and V-League results.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1746220341labto1746220341ofdlr1746220341owedi1746220341sni@w1746220341ahsra1746220341w.wer1746220341dna1746220341