Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Vietnamese football tries to clean up its act
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-10-02 14:24

HANOI (AFP) - Embarrassed by corruption and match-fixing scandals, football bosses in Vietnam have launched a belated attempt to try and clean up the game, which has a passionate following in the country.

A policeman escorts Vu Tien Thanh (R), manager of the leading Vietnamese football club Dong A, out of his residence in Ho Chi Minh City, 30 August, as he is arrested pending inquiries into match-fixing allegations.
A policeman escorts Vu Tien Thanh (R), manager of the leading Vietnamese football club Dong A, out of his residence in Ho Chi Minh City, 30 August, as he is arrested pending inquiries into match-fixing allegations. [AFP]
"Dark forces have manipulated several players and referees," Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) vice president Vu Quang Vinh told AFP.

"We must resolutely eliminate all corrupt people, even if we have to give up national and international competitions.

"That's a price worth paying in order to totally overhaul Vietnamese football and make it strong, clean and solid."

For many though it is a case of too little too late as it is openly admitted that corruption pervades Vietnamese football with several networks of referees, coaches, club managers and players implicated in match-fixing.

Referee Luong Trung Viet and Vu Tien Thanh, the manager of leading club Dong A, were detained in August pending inquiries into match-fixing allegations.

Viet and his three assistants were accused of taking 20 million dong (neaarly 1,300 dollars) from the national V-league team to fix a match in April.

Since the authorities began to clamp down, there are signs that the tide of corruption could be starting to turn. Police said that up to 10 referees have turned themselves in over the past week and returned their bribe money.
Page: 123



Guo Jingjing taking gold in National Games
Federica Ridolfi
Selected Reuters sports pictures for September 27
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

ASEAN to gain if India-China energy partnership sets up

 

   
 

China, Japan split on gas, to hold more talks

 

   
 

Bali terror bombings kill 25, injure 100

 

   
 

China-US split on North Korea resolved

 

   
 

Xinjiang celebrates 50th founding anniversary

 

   
 

Scientists discover 10th planet's moon

 

   
  Yankees win division title for eighth straight year
   
  Van Nistelrooy lifts United, Spurs stun Charlton
   
  Barcelona draw with Zaragoza, Getafe go top
   
  Chen Tao start trial at Anderlecht
   
  Federer and Murray into Thailand Open final
   
  Wang Meng wins women's 1500m short track at World Cup
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement