Vietnamese authorities arrests 5 pro football team members over match-fixing

Five members of the professional football team Ba Ria-Vung Tau have been taken into custody by Vietnamese authorities on charges of match-fixing.

Five football players—goalkeeper Nguyễn Sơn Hải, striker Phạm Văn Phong, and midfielders Lê Bằng Gia Huy, Nguyễn Quang Huy, and Trần Kỳ Anh—are charged with placing bets on football games online and deliberately playing below par during a 3-1 defeat against Da Nang on December 24.

Currently, Ba Ria-Vung Tau competes in Vietnam’s second-tier football league, V.League 2.

The Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock firm (VPF), according to its general director Nguyen Minh Ngọc, analyzes sports data in order to stop illegal operations. The firm collaborates with the Ministry of Public Security, the Vietnam Football Federation, and other specialist businesses. The need to expand educational activities to improve player awareness is highlighted by the growing intricacy and sophistication of illegal football operations. VPF is committed to enhancing the administration of tournaments.

In the last two months, match-fixing has occurred twice in Vietnam. VietnamNet reports that four first-division players had their contracts canceled in December due to dubious behavior.

Eleven members of Dong Thap’s U21 team were previously reprimanded by the Vietnam Football Federation for their involvement in betting during a national U21 tournament qualifying round. Six Dong Nai Club athletes were accused of match-fixing and gambling in 2015, after the 2014 V.League 1 season.

Original story by: IAG