Pity referee Tran Dinh Thinh, think about the pressure of the 'black shirt kings'

The passing of referee Tran Dinh Thinh left behind pain, anguish, regret, and endless thoughts about the harsh aspects of the refereeing profession.

Mourning referee Tran Dinh Thinh

The saying "live by the profession, die by the profession" was true for referee Tran Dinh Thinh, when he encountered health problems and passed away while on the way to perform a physical test, within the framework of the training program for supervisors and referees of national professional football tournaments in the 2025 - 2026 season.

That track is where the dream of being a referee has been nurtured for many referees, and now it is the final leg of one of the most prestigious and diligent "black shirt kings" in V-League.

Family waiting for referee Tran Dinh Thinh to visit home for the last time

In contrast to his resolute and decisive features with his "sharp as a knife" eyes every time he refereed on the field, the image of referee Tran Dinh Thinh lingered in the memory of those who had contact with him, as a genuine, honest, humorous and gentle Southern man. Therefore, the passing of referee Tran Dinh Thinh shocked the entire football world.

Farewell to referee Tran Dinh Thinh

PHOTO: KHA HOA

Besides referees and players, there are also people who were once students of Mr. Thinh (referee Thinh also worked as a physical education teacher) who cannot help but feel sad and heartbroken when remembering the strict but effective and joyful lectures of the former "physical education teacher".

Vietnamese football has lost a good referee, and perhaps now is the right time to re-evaluate the refereeing profession, to re-evaluate the invisible pressures always placed on the shoulders of those who hold the scales of justice, striving all their lives to ensure the balance of justice in football.

Pressure on the referee's shoulders

In the announcement to send off referee Tran Dinh Thinh, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) wrote: "Regarding the physical fitness test of referees in the training program, this is a mandatory test according to FIFA regulations to assess the ability to undertake tasks at national professional football tournaments.

The heartbreaking incident is an experience for all members participating in the tournament, including the referees, to pay close attention and always see that in physical activities there is always a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease even when there are no warning signs that we know in advance, so we need to always pay attention to the smallest changes in health to ensure safety during training."

To be able to officiate at professional football tournaments, Vietnamese referees must pass many rigorous tests. The running tests include 6 short distance runs (40 m) within the prescribed time, 10 laps of the field at speed (equivalent to 4,000 m, with speed changes of running 75 m in 15 seconds and walking 25 m in 20 seconds). Physical intensity is the top priority, because as the speed of the match increases, referees must run continuously to keep up with the developments.

Referees are always under great pressure.

PHOTO: KHA HOA

Not only running, but the referees also have to run and observe every millimeter of the collision situation, evaluate, analyze and make decisions in just a few seconds. Every decision requires absolute precision, because just one wrong whistle can affect the outcome of the match.

Looking back at the career of referee Tran Dinh Thinh: FIFA standard, famous for being strict

While the referee has less than a second to think and blow the whistle (remember, in a continuous running context), every decision of the "man in black" is scrutinized under thousands of eyes. Referees have to face pressure from players, coaches, even spectators and social networks. The pressure is extremely high, easily causing stress, tension, anxiety, even for top referees who have officiated hundreds of matches in their careers.

Perhaps, because of such great and "suffocating" pressure, the mental health of many referees has been affected. A referee confided to Thanh Nien Newspaper that no matter how great the pressure, he still had to try to overcome it because he had chosen this profession. "We can only try our best and believe in our decisions, but we have to accept pressure or criticism because we are used to it," this referee shared.

The last words of referee Tran Dinh Thinh before passing out were "let me finish running". He still wanted to finish the race in his last moments on earth. Farewell to one of the most respected referees of our country's football.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xot-thuong-trong-tai-tran-dinh-thinh-ngam-ve-ap-luc-cua-nhung-ong-vua-ao-den-185250804124222364.htm