The incident occurred after a Beijing Guoan FC player made a reckless challenge on a Vietnamese footballer, sparking tensions between the teams.

This marked the second time this season alone that Hanoi Police FC has been fined by the AFC. Previously, the V.League representative was handed a US$5,000 fine for a similar incident during the first-leg match against the same Chinese club in September.

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was fined US$2,500 for allowing the second half of the match between Malaysia and Nepal on November 18 to start one minute and 30 seconds later than scheduled. This was the third time this year that FAM repeated the same infraction and was fined by the AFC. The confederation warned that heavier penalties would be imposed for any further violations.

The AFC’s anticipated disciplinary decision regarding FAM’s alleged fielding of ineligible naturalized players has yet to be announced. The confederation is awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FAM lodged an appeal.

AFC General Secretary Windsor John confirmed that a final decision on Malaysia’s ineligible naturalized players case is expected by March 31, 2026.

Hanoi Police FC top Group E at AFC Champions League 2

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s Hanoi Police FC secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Tai Po FC (Hong Kong, China) at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi, on October 2, marking their first victory in the 2025–2026 AFC Champions League 2 and moving them to the top of Group E.