Five prominent football players have been banned from participating in national tournaments organized by the VFF due to their alleged involvement in drug-related activities. The players, including goalkeeper Duong Quang Tuan, center-back Nguyen Ngoc Thang, and midfielders Dinh Thanh Trung, Nguyen Van Truong, and Nguyen Trung Hoc, are currently in police custody as the investigation unfolds.

The situation came to light last Saturday when police raided a local hotel in Ha Tinh Province. The five players were found in the company of a group suspected of drug-related activities, leading to their immediate suspension from football activities.

Among the players, Dinh Thanh Trung, a former member of the Vietnamese national team, was the recipient of the Vietnam Golden Ball in 2017. Nguyen Ngoc Thang, another talented player, had recently represented the U23 Vietnam team in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 quarterfinals in Qatar. Nguyen Trung Hoc, the captain of Hong Linh Ha Tinh, has been a consistent presence on the field, featuring in all 16 of their matches this season.

The Hong Linh Ha Tinh Football Club has not released an official statement regarding the incident. However, they took to the field without the suspended players in a match against MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh FC, where they suffered a 0-2 defeat. The club has been asked to report the case to the league organizers, as confirmed by Nguyen Minh Ngoc, head of the V.League 1.

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