Vietnam appeals after FIVB voids U21 women’s volleyball results over ineligible player

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) said the player was found to be ineligible under its 2023 disciplinary regulations, following an investigation triggered by a complaint.

Matches in which the player participated were declared forfeits.

In a statement, the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) said it had submitted full documentation in accordance with FIVB rules and that the athlete was approved to compete.

It said new requirements were introduced shortly before the FIVB’s decision.

“The VFV is following the FIVB appeals process and working with relevant authorities to protect the interests of the player and Vietnamese volleyball,” it said.

The FIVB did not name the player or specify the grounds for ineligibility.

It said the case would be referred to its disciplinary panel for further review and declined further comment while the process is ongoing.

The Volleyball World's official website, operated by the FIVB, later updated match results.

Four of Vietnam’s matches — three wins and one 1–3 loss — were recorded as 0–3 defeats.

A win over Puerto Rico, in which the player did not appear, remained unchanged.

Vietnam fell from second to last in Group A and was moved from round of 16 to the classification round for 17th to 24th places.

Host nation Indonesia advanced to the round of 16 after being awarded a revised win over Vietnam.

It had previously finished fifth in the group.

The VFV said it was preparing legal steps to defend the athlete and had called on local media and the public to support the team.

The FIVB U21 Women’s World Championship 2025 is being held in Surabaya, Indonesia, from August 7 to 17, featuring 24 teams divided into four single round-robin pools of six, according to Volleyball World.

The top four teams from each pool advance to the round of 16, while the bottom two in each group enter classification play-offs for rankings from 17th to 24th.