Over-the-top: Coach Nguyen Duc Thang has been banned for a year for reacting badly to a refree's decision. — VNS Photo Tuan Tu

HA NOI (VNS) — Coach Nguyen Duc Thang of People's Police team yesterday received a one-year ban for vulgar display of dissent against a referee during a Second Division match against Tien Giang last month.

This is the strongest punishment imposed on a coach in Viet Nam to date.

The former national team player objected to the referee allowing the opening goal for Tien Giang in the 63rd minute, which Thang felt was a wrong decision.

His previous obscene words and then other activities brought him a red card. However, when on the stand, Thang continued to shout at Toan while his players went out of the field, refusing to play.

The Viet Nam Football Federation's Discipline Board imposed a ban of three years to Thang but finally changed it one-third.

The former defender will also be fined VND15 million (US$700). His assistants Do Hoang Duong and Nguyen Huy Thong were banned for three matches and fined VND3 million each. And the People's Police were fined VND7.5 million.

Thang did not agree with the fine and stated that he had not berated the referee. He will contest the decision.

"They cannot ban me based on the reports of the match supervisors. They have to show evidence," Thang said.

It is the third time in his career that Thang has been fined for the same charge.

Thang, 38, has been working as a coach for several years after his retirement in 2009 because of serious injuries.

He has worked with young football teams in Viettel club and used to be the national team head coach assistant.

Last year, he led Ha Noi T&T's U19 team to win the national championship. Earlier this year, his People's Police earned a berth to the First Division next year. — VNS