Jakarta: Vietnamese female volleyball players were disqualified from the U21 World Championship in Indonesia after two athletes tested positive for gender identity disorder.

According to Thai News Agency, the case involves two Vietnamese female volleyball players, Dang Thi Hong and Nguyen Phuong Quynh, who were subjected to chromosome tests or gender tests. Their names were not included in the game where Vietnam won 3-1 against Puerto Rico in the Women’s U21 World Volleyball Championship in Indonesia.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) issued a statement disqualifying the Vietnamese athlete who lacked the qualifications and forfeiting all matches in which the Vietnamese athlete competed.

The statement further mentioned that the FIVB’s decision concerning the players’ eligibility for the 2025 FIVB U21 Women’s World Championship will be referred to the FIVB Disciplinary Committee for further consideration of possible penalties that may extend beyond the tournament.

Following concerns that the
Vietnam Volleyball Federation fielded ineligible players for its U21 women’s national team at the 2025 FIVB Women’s U21 World Championship in Indonesia, the FIVB has initiated an investigation in accordance with its regulations.

The Vietnamese women’s volleyball team competed in the U21 World Championship, winning four matches and losing one, before the disqualification.