The VFF Disciplinary Committee announced the penalties on the evening of 26/12. Tran Duy Quang and Truong Phu Quy were suspended for the remainder of the tournament and fined 3,75 million dong. Tran Trieu Anh Khoa, Dinh Duy Bao, and Nguyen Cong Thuan received a suspension of five matches and a fine of 2,5 million dong.

These players were identified as "underperforming in the U19 National Championship 2025-2026, seriously affecting the tournament and VFF". The matches under review included Beton 26's losses to HAGL (0-2), Ha Tinh (0-3), SLNA (0-6), and Hue (1-5) in group C of the qualifiers. These matches took place at Ham Rong Sports Center in Gia Lai, starting from 14/12.

PVF Club (red shirts) defeated Dao Ha Football Center 7-0 in the fourth round of group A of the U19 National Qualifiers 2025-2026, at Viettel Sports Center stadium, Hanoi on 23/12. Photo: VFF

PVF Club (red shirts) defeated Dao Ha Football Center 7-0 in the fourth round of group A of the U19 National Qualifiers 2025-2026, at Viettel Sports Center stadium, Hanoi on 23/12. Photo: VFF

VFF considers this a necessary and appropriate move, demonstrating the Federation's resolve to eliminate negative phenomena. This action aims to protect the integrity, fairness, and healthy development of national football, especially in youth football.

This season's U19 National Qualifiers features 27 professional clubs, non-professional clubs, training centers, and gifted schools. The 27 teams are divided into five groups, competing in a double round-robin format at the host localities, with points determining rankings. The five first-place teams, the five second-place teams, and the best third-place team will advance to the final round.

The matches are scheduled from 14/12 to 6/1/2026, with the final round taking place from 14/1 to 27/1/2026.

In youth or lower-tier leagues, VFF frequently meets with teams and players to discuss preventing negative phenomena. The Federation also sends official letters during crucial stages, urging teams to compete to their full potential. Despite these efforts, negative incidents persist.

In february, the VFF Disciplinary Committee previously penalized four clubs and four coaches for underperforming in the U19 National Qualifiers 2024-2025. The four teams receiving warnings were Soc Trang, Luxury Ha Long, Tay Nguyen Gia Lai, and Dao Ha Football Center from Vinh Phuc province. Coaches Nguyen Thanh Tung (Luxury Ha Long), Nguyen Minh Hai (Tay Nguyen Gia Lai), and Dao Viet Ha (Dao Ha Center) were banned from all football activities managed or organized by VFF for 12 months. Coach Pham Huu Phuoc (Soc Trang) received a warning.

During the U19 National Qualifiers 2020, VFF nullified the result of a match where Binh Dinh lost 2-6 to Dak Lak, after identifying abnormal activity. Binh Dinh's coach at the time, Cao Van Dung, and player Dao Gia Bao were suspended for the remainder of the tournament and fined 5 million dong. Players Dinh Truong De, Tran Van Thai, and Nguyen The Thinh were banned for four matches and fined 5 million dong. Y Eli Nie also received a two-match suspension and a 5 million dong fine, after VFF concluded that the Dak Lak goalkeeper underperformed without a valid reason.

In july 2024, coach Nguyen Van Nhat was banned for one year for asking a coach of U16 women's TP HCM to instruct players to underperform. This was intended to help U16 women's Thai Nguyen win 2-0. The TP HCM coach subsequently reported the incident to VFF. The final match concluded with a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, in the 2023 Second Division League, goalkeeper Nguyen Van Ba was banned for two years and fined 10 million dong. VFF determined that the Kien Giang goalkeeper deliberately allowed additional goals in a 0-6 defeat to Dong Nai, then received two consecutive yellow cards from the referee in the 90th minute and the first minute of second-half stoppage time.

Hieu Luong