Hanoi (VNA) - Head coach of the Vietnamese national men’s football teamPark Hang-seo has accepted the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s punishmentand made a public apology, the Vietnam Football Federation said on February13.
TheAFC announced on February 10 to fine Park 5,000 USD and suspend him from fourfriendly matches after he received a red card in the 2019 SEA Games men'sfootball final in the Philippines last December for his loud response toreferees.
In a letter sent to the Vietnamese media, the coach explained his reaction tothe referees’ decision during the match between U22 Vietnam and Indonesianrivals, saying at that time, the game was growing more intense and playerscould get injured, so he told the referees to be more reasonable in controllingplay.
Vietnamwon the match against U22 Indonesia and brought home their first-ever goldmedal in SEA Games men's football.
Parkadmitted that his behaviour was inappropriate but confirmed he had not insultedthe referees and he apologized to them himself after the match.
"Iwill accept and abide by the AFC punishment,” he said, adding that during hissuspension time, the national team will still be well-prepared for the matchesof World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
The Vietnamese team will play a friendly against Iraq on March 26,before their 2022 World Cup qualifier match against Malaysia on March 31./.