Coach Polking bluntly states 'unpleasant' truth about V.League referees

Coach Mano Polking comments on controversial referee decisions, stating that V.League needs to promptly upgrade its officiating operations to ensure fairness.

The narrow victory over Da Nang helps Hanoi Police continue to solidify their top position in the V.League 2025/26, but after the match, the focus was not on the result but on the controversies surrounding refereeing. Coach Mano Polking candidly expressed his views on the necessity of improving match officiating quality.

Despite praising the competitive spirit of players from both teams, the CAHN tactician could not hide his concerns about the referee's handling. “First, I think today's match had many fiercely contested situations. Players from both teams tried to regain possession and create advantages for their side. There were incidents that should have resulted in yellow cards, but didn't. That is something I have to ponder.”

The match's flashpoint came in the final minutes, particularly the clash between assistant Luis Viegas and striker David Henen that heightened tension in the technical areas of both sides. Despite consulting VAR, the main referee did not issue a card penalty, a decision that immediately sparked controversy. “In my opinion, that situation warranted a yellow card. But not just this one incident; there could have been about ten questionable situations in the match.”

Not stopping at a specific incident, Coach Polking emphasized that the larger issue lies in the inconsistency in officiating. “For example, those 50-50 situations involving offside. Some of our situations were whistled immediately, but similar situations for the opponent were allowed to continue. That makes me question. I say this with respect and a constructive spirit. If I am wrong, I am always ready to take responsibility and reflect on myself.”

The German tactician also affirmed that the goal is not to exert pressure, but to aim for overall improvement for the league. “I do not want to pressure the referees or anyone. But clearly, we need to improve refereeing so matches become fairer and of higher quality. We only want to compete in a fair-play environment. That is the most important thing for football.”

Besides professional debates, Coach Polking also updated the squad situation. He believes Nguyen Dinh Bac's absence is an opportunity for this player to recover, while also sending congratulations toTran Dinh Trong and Doan Van Hau upon their return to the national team. The victory over Da Nang not only helps CAHN widen the gap to 7 points over The Cong Viettel, but also shows that the championship race is heating up both on and off the pitch.