Don't set a bad example for your students!

When coaches receive more red cards than players: A sad image of the V-League.

Round 13 of the V-League 2024-2025 witnessed a "strange" phenomenon, with coaches repeatedly receiving red cards from the referees and being sent off.

In the match between Ho Chi Minh City FC and Thanh Hoa FC at Thong Nhat Stadium, coach Velizar Popov received two yellow cards from referee Le Vu Linh, leading to his forced departure from the technical area. In the match between Da Nang FC and The Cong Viettel FC, coach Le Duc Tuan was sent off in the final minutes due to a strong reaction to the fourth official.

Coach Le Duc Tuan pointed his finger at the referee's face.

Later, in the match between Hanoi Police FC and Quang Nam, although the visiting team's coach Van Sy Son did not receive a direct red card, the VFF Disciplinary Committee decided to fine him 5 million VND and suspend him from coaching for 2 matches based on the match supervisor's report.

Thus, three coaches will be suspended from coaching in upcoming matches due to disciplinary action. Specifically, in both matches between Quang Nam and Thanh Hoa (postponed matches from rounds 11 and 14), neither team's head coach will be present in the technical area. Similarly, the match between Da Nang FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC at Tam Ky Stadium will be without young coach Le Duc Tuan. It is highly likely that Phan Thanh Hung will take over.

The common thread among the three coaches suspended from coaching in Round 13 is their reaction to the referee. Coach Popov reacted vehemently to the referee's failure to blow the whistle after a Thanh Hoa player fell to the ground following a collision, resulting in a yellow card. Towards the end of the first half, the Bulgarian strategist kicked a water bottle after defender Thanh Long committed a foul, receiving a second yellow card.

Although Coach Popov explained that he was only expressing his anger towards his players, not the referee, according to the rules (kicking a water bottle can result in a yellow card), the Thanh Hoa FC coach was wrong. The rules clearly state that an offensive and hot-tempered coach's behavior can absolutely lead to a penalty card, regardless of whether the action was directly aimed at the referee or not.

Coach Popov was skilled, but also hot-tempered.

As for coaches Le Duc Tuan (Da Nang) and Van Sy Son (Quang Nam), the suspension, whether "hot" or "cold," is for situations involving heated reactions.

Keep a cool head.

In a tense match, it's inevitable that coaches or players will react angrily to the referee. This isn't unique to the V-League; major leagues around the world frequently see head coaches fiercely arguing, claiming that referee decisions are unfair to their team.

In the high-pressure environment of football, it's not easy to maintain complete focus and composure. Anyone can get caught up in the flow of the game and lose control of their emotions.

However, if everyone continues to act impulsively and instinctively, the league will lack professionalism. Take the case of Coach Popov, for example. The Bulgarian coach can "discipline" his players in the locker room or on the training ground; the rules don't prohibit that. However, in a specific match, in front of thousands of spectators, the stadium cannot be turned into a place for venting anger by physically punishing players.

Coach Popov wasn't wrong to be upset with his players. His mistake lay in the timing of his reaction (in the middle of the match) and the way he reacted (kicking a water bottle). There are many ways to express anger that carry less risk of being penalized than kicking a water bottle, an action clearly prohibited by the rules. As a hot-tempered coach who has been penalized numerous times for his reactions, Coach Popov probably understands this better than anyone.

Regarding reactions to referees, it's necessary to distinguish between the correctness or incorrectness of the referee's decisions and the coach's reaction. On the field, when coaches don't have the same level of observation as VAR, and can't review slow-motion replays to analyze the situation (which is why many coaches refuse to comment on referees after matches), reacting negatively can be counterproductive.

Coach Van Sy Son has been banned from coaching for 2 matches.

For example, Mr. Van Sy Son threw a card onto the field when referee Nguyen Manh Hai did not blow the whistle in a situation where a Quang Nam player fell, but slow-motion replays showed that the referee was correct. The Hanoi Police Club player did not commit a foul and the goal was valid.

When coaches also choose to act emotionally, how will they teach their players to behave respectfully and keep a cool head?

Football, or sports in general, is ultimately not immune to emotions and instincts. And the rules of the game are put in place to control those instincts within limits. Hopefully, after the penalties, the coaches in the V-League will exercise more restraint.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhieu-hlv-ov-league-bi-cam-chi-dao-dung-lam-guong-xau-cho-hoc-tro-185250219112732083.htm