VietNamNet Bridge – Fullback Vo Nhat Tan of Dong Tam FC has been presented the 2012 Fairplay Award for denouncing match fixing plan for the game between Dong Tam and Tay Ninh last year.

From the left: Referee Vo Minh Tri, defender Vo Nhat Tan and coach Nguyen Huu Thang receive the Fairplay Award.

On the evening of January 29, the organizers of the Fairplay Award 2012 announced the winners of 2012, including defender Vo Nhat Tan (178 points) of Dong Tam FC, coach Huu Thang (263 points) of Song Lam Nghe An FC and referee Vo Minh Tri (261 points).

Nhat Tan comes from a farming family in Tien Giang. He is highly appreciated for denouncing a match fixing plan before the game between his team and Tay Ninh in the 17th round of the First Division Tournament 2012.

Specifically, player Nguyen Thanh Trung of Tay Ninh FC called Nhat Tan before the game to suggest match fixing. He promised that if Tay Ninh defeats Dong Tam, Nhat Tan will receive VND50 million ($2,500). After being discovered, Nguyen Thanh Trung was banned from playing football for five years.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Nhat Tan said: "I saw many farmers who spent their wages for a week to buy a football ticket. Their enthusiasm does not allow us to play negatively or compromise with the bad to seek profit for ourselves. We can live in poverty but we cannot sell my teammates and dedicated fans."

At the ceremony, former coach Pham Huynh Tam Lang and midfielder Phan Van Tai Em of Dong Tam FC, who denounced his teammates for match fixing at the 23rd SEA Games were presented the "Fairplay Honor 2012 Award".

Compiled by Na Son