According to information from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), on the morning of August 3, referee Thinh participated in a periodic physical examination within the framework of the referee training and referee supervision program for national professional tournaments in the 2025-2026 season, held at the Hanoi Athletics Palace.
The test started at 5am to avoid the peak heat of the capital. During the endurance run – which required completing 10 laps of the field (about 4km) – Mr. Tran Dinh Thinh showed signs of fatigue after the 7th lap and suddenly collapsed.
The medical team immediately provided first aid and then transferred him to the nearest hospital. Despite the doctors' best efforts, he did not survive due to severe respiratory and circulatory failure.
VFF General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu said: “This is a huge loss for Vietnamese football, especially the referee team. Referee Tran Dinh Thinh is not only a serious and responsible person but also a close colleague, respected by everyone. On behalf of VFF and the Organizing Committee of the training program, I would like to send my deepest condolences to his family and relatives. We will coordinate with VPF to organize a complete and meaningful funeral.”
Vice President of VFF, Chairman of the Board of Directors of VPF Tran Anh Tu also expressed: “Mr. Thinh is an experienced referee, has many contributions and always shows dedication and professionalism. He was honored with the 'Bronze Whistle' awards in the 2024 season and 'Silver Whistle' awards in the 2025 season - worthy achievements for his persistent efforts. His passing is a great loss, not only for the referee team but also for Vietnamese football in general. VPF would like to join his family in organizing his funeral with all our condolences and respect.”
Referee Tran Dinh Thinh is from Dong Nai and has been in the profession since 2010. For more than a decade, he has been a familiar face on V.League pitches, standing out for his composure, courage and professional working style. His silent contributions not only help matches run fairly, but also serve as a role model for the next generation of referees to follow.
His sudden passing left a huge void, not only in the refereeing community but also in the hearts of friends, colleagues and fans across the country – those who always cherish those who silently preserve professionalism and standards for the football field.
According to the VFF, the physical fitness test in this year's training program was developed according to FIFA regulations and is a mandatory requirement to assess the capacity of referees working in the 2025-2026 season. Preparations have been carried out carefully for many weeks.
Referees are notified one month in advance to proactively prepare physically, and the test is scheduled for early morning to avoid hot weather.
All participating teams are required to complete a health check-up according to Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT. Medical work at the inspection site is deployed synchronously with 4 ambulances and 4 medical teams on duty regularly.
However, the incident still happened – serving as a stark reminder of potential health risks, especially related to the heart, even for people with no obvious signs of abnormalities before.
The Vietnam Football Federation and VPF affirmed that they will continue to tighten health monitoring measures, provide physical advice and medical preparation for referees as well as all members participating in the tournament, to ensure maximum safety during training and competition.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/trong-tai-tran-dinh-thinh-qua-doi-sau-buoi-kiem-tra-the-luc-158630.html
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