AFC imposes heavy penalty on Vietnam after victory against Malaysia.

VTV.vn - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has issued disciplinary action against Vietnamese football following violations that occurred during the match between Vietnam and Malaysia in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup on March 31st. According to an announcement released on the evening of May 13th, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) was fined a total of US$11,250 for offenses related to spectators and stadium security.

The main cause stemmed from fans setting off flares in the stands, an act deemed by the AFC as a serious violation of safety regulations. Based on Article 65.1 of the Code of Discipline and Ethics, the VFF was fined $6,250 for allowing the use of flares in the stadium area.

In addition, the AFC also assessed that the home team's match organization did not meet the requirements. The report indicated that measures to control spectators before and during the match were not effectively implemented, leading to the continued appearance of flares in the stands.

Due to shortcomings in management and security, the VFF received an additional fine of USD 5,000 under Article 64.1. The AFC requires Vietnam to complete payment within 30 days of receiving the notification.

Despite facing off-field issues, the Vietnamese team delivered an impressive performance, defeating Malaysia 3-1. Nguyen Xuan Son shone with a brace, making a significant contribution to giving his team an advantage in the race to qualify for the next round.

At the end of the final qualifying round, the Vietnamese national team topped their group and earned the right to participate in the 2027 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia. However, the penalty from the AFC also serves as a clear warning about the need to tighten organization and control of spectator behavior in upcoming international matches.

Source: https://thethao.vtv.vn/afc-phat-nang-viet-nam-after-the-victory-against-malaysia-national-team-101260514084452481.htm