V-League has something unprecedented in history

According to the latest information, the match between Hanoi FC and Thanh Hoa in round 17 of V-League 2024-2025 will have the appearance of two Malaysian referees.

Referee Razlan Joffri Bin Ali officiated the match between Quang Nam and SLNA, 4-2, in round 24 of V-League 2023-2024.

The two FIFA referees hired are Mohamad Kamil Zakaria Bin Ismail and Razlan Joffri Bin Ali. One will be the main referee, while the other will be in the VAR room. The specific assignment of tasks will be finalized by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Referee Board before the match.

Notably, this is the first time in V-League history that a foreign referee has operated the VAR room.

Currently, the Organizing Committee, Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), has 4 VAR cars, thanks to which this technology will be applied in at least 6 matches/round from the 2024-2025 season.

Up to now, V-League has had 11 consecutive seasons hiring foreign referees. The first time was in the 2014 season when Binh Duong won Thanh Hoa 2-0 in round 16. The main referee was Mr. Ryuji Sato (Japan).

Normally, the Organizing Committee will invite foreign referees to officiate important matches of the season such as the championship race or relegation.

Before round 17, VPF assessed that the Thanh Hoa vs. Hanoi FC match was important in the championship race this season. Therefore, VPF proposed inviting foreign referees, then VFF worked with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to bring Mr. Mohamad Kamil Zakaria Bin Ismail and Razlan Joffri Bin Ali to V-League to officiate.

Mr. Razlan Joffri Bin Ali was the referee for the match where Quang Nam won 4-2 against SLNA in round 24 of V-League 2023-2024. Meanwhile, referee Mohammad Kamil Zakaria Bin Ismail was on duty in the relegation play-off match between Ha Tinh and PVF-CAND (July 6, 2024).

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/v-league-xuat-hien-dieu-chua-tung-co-trong-lich-su-192250402185954963.htm