Refereeing profession seen from the unfortunate incident of referee Tran Dinh Thinh
Not only the players on the field, but also the referees, assistant referees or match supervisors must be in good health, have stable and durable physical strength to be able to keep up with the pace of a match lasting 90 minutes (or more). This job requires high concentration and the ability to make accurate decisions in difficult situations. Therefore, the refereeing profession also has many potential health risks that not everyone can easily overcome.
Referee Tran Dinh Thinh passed away at the age of 43: Mourning a talented and hardworking man
Psychological stress in the refereeing profession is inevitable. They must always remain calm and focused to follow the game, making fair and accurate decisions in important moments, when every decision can affect the outcome of the match.
Not only is the job mentally demanding, but the rigors of the job also require great physical fitness, as referees have to run after the ball quickly and continuously throughout the entire match. That is why physical fitness tests are mandatory for all referees and supervisors.
Referee Tran Dinh Thinh when working at V-League
PHOTO: KHA HOA
However, preparation does not always help them avoid health risks. Referee Tran Dinh Thinh is a typical example. On the morning of August 3, 2025, while participating in a physical test at the Hanoi Athletics Palace to prepare for the 2024-2025 V-League season, referee Tran Dinh Thinh suddenly collapsed. Although he was given emergency care and taken to the hospital immediately, he passed away on the same day. His passing shocked and saddened the Vietnamese football community.
Before referee Tran Dinh Thinh, the Vietnamese sports world was shocked by the passing of referee Duong Ngoc Tan 7 years ago. In April 2018, during the final physical examination of the referee training course in preparation for the first division tournament, assistant referee Duong Ngoc Tan suffered a stroke right on the field. He was rushed to Saint Paul Hospital in Hanoi, then transferred to Bach Mai Hospital for further treatment. However, after 5 days, he passed away at the age of 37.
The world of sports has seen many losses.
The world of sports has also witnessed many sudden and heartbreaking deaths. A typical example is referee Wilverglen Lamey (Jamaica), who suddenly passed away after collapsing during a KSAFA football match in Kingston, Jamaica in 2024. Despite being treated at the scene, he did not survive. Similarly, referee Victor Hugo Hurtado (Bolivia), 31, collapsed during a match in El Alto in 2022, one of the highest stadiums in the world (compared to sea level). Despite being rushed to the hospital, he died of a heart attack. Also in 2022, referee Johan Hamel (France) passed away at the age of 42 after suffering a stroke during a Ligue 1 match. This loss raised concerns about the pressure and health risks that referees face throughout their careers.
Referee Victor Hugo Hurtado was taken to the emergency room after collapsing on the pitch during a match.
Referees in many other sports are also facing health risks. Rugby referee Shawn McQuillan (Australia), 48, passed away in 2021 when he collapsed during a match between Southport Tigers and Runaway Bay Seagulls on the Gold Coast. Similarly, in motor racing, referee Mark Hughes (England) passed away in 2020 after being involved in an accident while officiating at a Formula 1 race.
French referee Johan Hamel passes away at the age of 42
PHOTO: REUTERS
The above heartbreaking incidents show that the refereeing profession not only requires skills and experience but is also a harsh challenge for physical and mental health. Referees must always maintain a flexible physique to complete their duties. In addition, the stressful working environment and the requirement to make accurate decisions in stressful situations are factors that cannot be ignored when talking about the refereeing profession.
The passing of referee Tran Dinh Thinh is a great pain not only for his family but also for the entire Vietnamese refereeing community. It is certain that after this incident, medical work and health protection measures for referees in tournaments will need to be reviewed and improved, in order to minimize potential health risks and protect those who dedicate themselves to sports.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghe-trong-tai-yeu-cau-the-luc-tri-luc-tot-nguy-co-suc-khoe-luon-rinh-rap-185250804095028106.htm
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