VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Professional Football Company (VPF) has stated to continue lodging complaints against the 20-year telecast deal between the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and AVG Group.

AVG says “no” to VPF
Chair of the VPF Management Board, Vo Quoc Thang, used the word “disappointment” to describe AVG’s dispatch on February 28.

Thang said that AVG did not change its point of view and the three-hour meeting between the two sides on February 21 was nearly useless.

“If the contract between VFF and AVG is maintained, royalties for FCs will be nearly zero. Under this contract, they will receive several to over one hundred of million dong (several thousands of USD) each year,” Thang said.

“Comparing that royalty with tens of billion dong that entrepreneurs invest in football, what can they earn? Royalties are the main source of income of professional football. Will anyone want to invest in football?” he added.

According to AVG’s dispatch, sent VPF on February 28, AVG will not hand over the broadcasting right, pay royalty to VPF. It will only negotiate with VPF if VPF satisfies two conditions: being authorized by VFF to exploit commercial rights of professional football tournaments in Vietnam, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approves the amended regulations on professional football and VPF commits to respect the deal between AVG and VFF.

“We are very disappointed with AVG’s answer. The meeting on February 21 was filmed. If that clip is aired, people will further understand what we are doing,” Thang said.

The distance between the two sides was widened in the last few days. At the meeting one week ago, they nearly found a common voice. AVG agreed with VPF’s two principles: Permitting VTV to broadcast live most matches of the V-League and paying royalty higher than the committed number in the deal with VFF.

Thang said that VPF would continue lodging complaint against the 20-year deal to avoid “a harmful contract” for Vietnam’s football.

“We will try our best and no matter is the results, our effort will be recognized,” he added.

According to a famous football investor, many entrepreneurs could stop investing in football right now, because of the 20-year deal.

“They can invest in football for a few more years but in the long run, if they do not earn profit from football, they will give up,” the anonymous investor said.

“In the past, many investors said goodbye to football, such as the East Asia Bank, Lotus Sheet Metal Company, Vietnam Airlines and recently Hoa Phat Hanoi Group. Some investors told me that they are ready to give up football if the contract between VFF and AVG does not change,” he added.

Tung Van