HLV Popov escapes disciplinary action after threatening to leave V-League

The VFF Disciplinary Committee released its disciplinary rulings on June 2 for infractions occurring in Round 21 of the 2025/26 Bia Sao Vang National First Division and Round 25 of the 2025/26 LPBank V-League. Yet the high-profile case of Coach Velizar Popov from The Cong Viettel was absent from the list.

Specifically, under Decision No. 539/QĐ-LĐBĐVN, the committee fined SHB Da Nang Club 2,000,000 VND for having five players receive yellow cards during the match between Hong Linh Ha Tinh and SHB Da Nang on May 31, 2026, in the LPBank V-League 2025/26.

According to Decision No. 540/QĐ-LĐBĐVN, Thanh Nien Ho Chi Minh City Club was fined 2,000,000 VND for five yellow cards in the match between Thanh Nien Ho Chi Minh City and Ho Chi Minh City Club on May 30, 2026, in the Bia Sao Vang National First Division 2025/26.

Decision No. 541/QĐ-LĐBĐVN imposed a fine of 10,000,000 VND on Mr. Le Quoc Vuong, head coach of Xuan Thien Phu Tho Club, for failing to attend the mandatory press conference after the match between PVF-CAND Youth and Xuan Thien Phu Tho on May 30, 2026, in the Bia Sao Vang National First Division 2025/26.

All of the above decisions took effect from the date of signing.

After the match against Cong An Ho Chi Minh City in Round 25 of the 2025/26 LPBank V-League, Coach Popov complained: "Every point The Cong earns is a success against this competition system. We all know where the orders or directives come from. I cannot fight against that system."

Despite having been penalized multiple times for his critical statements toward organizers and referees, Coach Popov continued to voice strong objections.

"That system works against us every match week. I can't count how many points have been taken from us. I've stopped counting. Everything feels terrible. I will leave this place and never return. I don't want to be part of this anymore. I've had enough," said the Bulgarian coach.

Mr. Popov even demanded that points be "returned" after The Cong Viettel's 1-1 draw with PVF-CAND in Round 24.

"In this match, they didn't want us to win. It's that simple. Now who will give us back the two points from the draw with PVF-CAND? The referee did his job well and got his reward."

According to statistics, since starting work in the V-League in 2022—first leading Dong A Thanh Hoa and now The Cong Viettel—Coach Velizar Popov has publicly criticized referees or tournament organizers in post-match press conferences at least eight times.

It is precisely these controversial statements that have caused the 1976-born tactician to receive multiple additional penalties from the VFF Disciplinary Committee.