As previously reported in Danang Today, SHB Da Nang’s midfielder Tran Anh Khoa was violently kicked on his knee by Song Lam Nghe An’s defender Que Ngoc Hai in a match on 13 September. 

As a result, Anh Khoa underwent surgery in Singapore for multiple knee ligament injuries, whilst Ngoc Hai was suspended for 6 months by the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF).  Hai was also fined 15 million VND for his violent tackle, and he was asked to pay all Anh Khoa's hospital fees which have now reached 800 million VND in total.

SHB DN’s Anh Khoa (left)

Recently, there have been many conflicting opinions about Anh Khoa’s serious injuries and Ngoc Hai’s punishment.

One point of view is that the punishment was correct and that it will serve as a warning to other violent football players in Viet Nam.  However, some football fans don't agree with VFF's severe punishment of Ngoc Hai, especially as it exceeds his financial capabilities.  The medical bills alone are the equivalent of 10 times Ngoc Hai's current annual earnings from football and he has not yet complied with VFF's requirement.

During a meeting on Wednesday with reporter Nguyen An from the Da Nang Newspaper, the Chairman of the SHB Da Nang Sports Club, Mr Bui Xuan Hoa, asked defender Ngoc Hai to comply with the disciplinary punishment of VFF.  He also suggested that leaders of the SLNA Sports Club should meet with their counterparts from the SHB DN Sports Club to discuss solutions to the problem and perhaps reduce the financial burden on Ngoc Hai.

Chairman Hoa noted that his club is at the moment advancing money from the Saigon-Hanoi Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SHB) to cover Anh Khoa’s immediate surgery and treatment costs.