FIFA has not lifted the ban, Thanh Hóa struggles in the V-League relegation battle.

Thanh Hóa Club remains under FIFA's transfer ban, which means its new players cannot be registered for V-League matches.

Thanh Hóa Club continues to face a transfer ban imposed by FIFA, hindering its plans to strengthen the squad. Despite efforts to engage with relevant parties, the ban remains in place, significantly impacting the team's personnel situation during a crucial phase of the season.

In round 15 of the V-League 2025/2026, Thanh Hóa lost 0-1 to Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh in a home match. This result adds to the difficulties for coach Mai Xuân Hợp's team in the relegation fight. After 15 rounds, Thanh Hóa has only accumulated 13 points and temporarily sits in 12th place on the standings.

Besides performance pressure, the Thanh-based club is also constrained by the unresolved transfer ban. Previously, Thanh Hóa Club announced four new signings on its official social media. However, due to the unresolved FIFA sanction, these players cannot complete registration procedures for the V-League.

The reason FIFA hasn't lifted the ban is reportedly still linked to previous financial issues at Thanh Hóa Club. The coaching staff and club management are working hard to resolve the obstacles, aiming to complete necessary procedures soon to allow the team to register new players.

Alongside personnel difficulties, the loss to Hà Tĩnh also sparked controversy regarding match officiating. After the game, Coach Mai Xuân Hợp expressed dissatisfaction with the refereeing decisions, particularly in some key situations.

“Today's refereeing team left me truly dissatisfied. I don't understand why, not just in this match but in many recent games, the decisions seem consistently unfavorable to Thanh Hóa. Even in the penalty situation, when checking VAR, they reviewed the video clearly. Helerson was the last man, so how could there be offside?

There were many instances where Thanh Hóa players were lightly touched and penalized. Meanwhile, Hà Tĩnh players had collisions with us without any warning from the referee. That fragmented the match and disrupted the rhythm. I am genuinely disappointed by the lack of impartiality from today's refereeing team. Honestly, I don't understand what they were doing on the field.”