Vietnam Volleyball Federation speaks out about ban on Dang Thi Hong

(Dan Tri) - The Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) officially announced the ban on athlete Dang Thi Hong, and affirmed that the issue of gender testing of Vietnamese athletes will be thoroughly checked from 2026.

“Official tournaments of the Vietnam Volleyball Federation and participating clubs and athletes are all registered in the system of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

Therefore, athletes who are not qualified as determined by FIVB will not be allowed to compete in tournaments in the official competition system of the Vietnam Volleyball Federation until further decision," VFV announced on the morning of September 12.

Dang Thi Hong is banned from competing in domestic tournaments (Photo: FIVB).

Previously, at the U21 Women's World Championship, athlete Dang Thi Hong was disqualified by FIVB for "not being eligible to compete". In addition, the Vietnam U21 women's volleyball team was penalized for losing 4 matches in the group stage (with athlete Dang Thi Hong competing), leading to coach Nguyen Trong Linh and his team losing their ticket to the round of 16.

Although up to this point VFV still does not know the reason why Dang Thi Hong was disqualified, however, according to regulations, when this athlete is banned from competing by FIVB, she will also not be allowed to participate in domestic tournaments.

Vietnam Volleyball Federation General Secretary Le Tri Truong said: "We have not received any further notice from FIVB. Vietnam Volleyball Federation has also exchanged two documents with FIVB, and is still waiting for their response."

Dang Thi Hong is on the payroll of Thai Nguyen Club (competing in the national A1 division), currently playing for the Industrial and Commercial Bank Club under a loan contract.

The 19-year-old striker helped the banking team achieve good results in the first round of the national championship, Hoa Lu Cup and Hung Vuong Cup earlier this year. However, with the ban from VFV, Dang Thi Hong will have to "sit and do nothing" until receiving a new decision.

Regarding the issue of gender testing that is believed to be related to a number of Vietnamese athletes recently, VFV affirmed that from 2026, athletes with suspected gender will be thoroughly tested. In addition, the team's athletes will also be tested by the Organizing Committee of international tournaments for their competition qualifications when registering.

“The determination of gender identity disorder for athletes to participate in tournaments in the official competition system of Vietnam will be carried out according to specific instructions of FIVB, functional units and conditions to ensure the accuracy of this determination, which will be implemented starting from 2026.

"Athletes participating in the SEA Games are tested for qualifications according to the regulations of the SEA Games Organizing Committee and the instructions of the Vietnam Sports and Physical Training Department," VFV announced.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/lien-doan-bong-chuyen-viet-nam-len-tieng-ve-lenh-cam-voi-dang-thi-hong-20250912115059329.htm