Referee Tran Dinh Thinh has passed away.

In the early hours of August 4th, referee Tran Dinh Thinh passed away at Hong Ngoc Hospital (Hanoi). The refereeing community, the football world, and Vietnamese fans are shocked and saddened.

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh has just won the Silver Whistle Award of Vietnam 2025 - Photo: NGOC LE

He passed away after collapsing on the morning of August 3rd while undergoing a physical fitness test ahead of the 2025-2026 Vietnamese professional football season.

In the early hours of August 4th, referee Tran Dinh Thinh passed away after many hours of emergency treatment and intensive care at Bach Mai Hospital ( Hanoi ) at the age of 43.

His passing is a tremendous loss, an irreplaceable blow to his family. The refereeing community, Vietnamese football fans, and the public are shocked and saddened by the death of a talented and humble referee.

Earlier that morning, referee Tran Dinh Thinh unfortunately fainted during a physical fitness test at the Hanoi Athletics Stadium. The test was conducted starting at 5:00 AM to avoid the peak heat of Hanoi on August 3rd. However, due to his efforts to complete the test, referee Thinh unfortunately suffered a serious health problem.

In the endurance race, the referees had to run 10 laps around the track (equivalent to 4km). Referee Thinh experienced an unusual symptom and fainted on the track after completing the 7th lap. He was immediately given first aid by the medical team arranged by the VFF (Vietnam Football Federation) and transferred to a hospital near the Hanoi Athletics Stadium. He was then transferred to Bach Mai Hospital.

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh during his time officiating in the V-League - Photo: NGOC LE

The referee fitness test is an annual activity, part of the training plan of the VFF and VPF before each season of Vietnamese professional football. To be eligible to participate in the fitness test, referees attending the training must meet the health examination standards as stipulated in the Ministry of Health 's circular.

Only referees who pass the physical fitness test and professional skills tests as prescribed by FIFA are eligible to be assigned to officiate during the season. The test demands a great deal of physical fitness and skill, and is one of the most rigorous challenges for professional referees not only in Vietnam but also worldwide.

Before referee Tran Dinh Thinh, Vietnamese football had a similar tragic case when referee Duong Ngoc Tan (Yen Bai province) passed away after a physical fitness test in 2018. Referee Tan also fainted during the test and later died at Bach Mai Hospital.

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh, born in 1982, is from Dong Nai province. He is known as one of the most skilled referees in Vietnam, having won the Bronze Whistle award in the V-League 2023-2024 and the Silver Whistle award in the V-League 2024-2025.

Mr. Thinh was also recognized as a FIFA referee from 2019 to 2020.

In addition to his work as a referee, Mr. Tran Dinh Thinh also works as a physical education teacher at a secondary school in his hometown of Dong Nai.

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NGOC LE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/trong-tai-tran-dinh-thinh-qua-doi-20250803231945328.htm