Hot football news on the morning of June 4: Vietnamese referee sparks controversy, Messi makes history

FIFA referee Le Vu Linh becomes the focal point at the Southeast Asian U19 tournament due to a storm-inducing call against U19 Singapore, Messi etches his name in history as the inaugural recipient of the "Sports Nobel," a FIFA seminar aids Vietnamese youth football, England's squad confronts severe trials before the 2026 World Cup, and MU agrees to sell Rasmus Hojlund at a loss to Napoli as part of a rebuild.

Vietnamese referee stirs up a "storm"

FIFA referee Le Vu Linh becomes the spotlight after Malaysia's U19 team defeated U19 Singapore 3-0 at the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship. In the 60th minute, with the match tense, Malaysia's defender Aqasha directly stomped on an opponent's chest after the whistle but only received a warning without any card. This decision sparked strong protests from Singapore's coaching staff and players.

Earlier, Malaysia's goal that made it 2-0 also faced controversy, as Abid Safaraz was suspected of being offside. The Vietnamese referee's officiating has thus ignited a major wave of debate among Southeast Asian football fans.

FIFA "passes on secrets" to Vietnamese football

After three days of work in Hanoi, the FIFA workshop on talent identification and selection criteria officially concluded with many notable professional contents. The program brought together FIFA experts along with numerous coaches and youth training officials from across the countryfocusing on discovering and evaluating football talents according to modern standards.

Former Vietnamese women's national team player Dao Thi Mien assessed this as a practical course, helping coaches and scouts enhance their expertise. Following the workshop, the VFF aims to apply FIFA's criteria to the youth training system, especially for the U12 and U14 age groups, toward building a sustainable foundation for Vietnamese football.

Messi goes down in history

Messi continues to add an unprecedented milestone by becoming the first football player to win the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, a honor often referred to as the "Sports Nobel." The organizing committee stated that the Argentine superstar was recognized not only for his massive record of 47 team titles and 8 Ballon d'Or awards but also for his enduring contributions to the community through charitable activities for underprivileged children.

This marks the first time in the history of this prestigious Spanish award that a football player has been named in the individual category, helping Messi further affirm his status as one of the greatest sports icons in the world.

England team faces challenges

The 2026 World Cup hasn't even started yet, but the England team has already encountered a huge challenge in the form of weather. Upon arriving in Florida, coach Thomas Tuchel's squad had to train in temperatures of 32-34°C with humidity up to 80%, nearly double the conditions in London. Forecasts suggest the perceived temperature in upcoming friendly matches could even reach 40°C, increasing the risk of dehydration, cramps, and heatstroke.

In response, England activated a special adaptation plan using heat chambers simulating North American climate, along with individualized nutrition and hydration regimens for each player to avoid "collapsing" before the World Cup begins.

MU takes a loss on Hojlund

Manchester United officially confirmed parting ways with Hojlund by selling the Danish striker outright to Napoli, ending a deal that once cost up to £72 million in 2023. After a disappointing spell at Old Trafford, the 23-year-old was loaned last season and helped Napoli secure a Champions League spot, triggering a buyout clause worth around £38 million. Hojlund leaves United with 26 goals in 95 appearances across all competitions, while the "Red Devils" accept a significant loss to facilitate squad overhaul. This move also paves the way for a series of new signings arriving at Old Trafford in the near future.