The People's Court of Nam Tu Liem District in Hanoi received a petition from Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) football club against the Vietnam Professional Football JSC (VPF) regarding a monopoly sponsoring the V-League on February 7.

The conflict stems from HAGL negotiating and announcing the signing of a contract with a sponsor of an energy drink brand on January 15. 

The Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company - the organizer of V-League - considers this to be illegal because they announced at the Vietnam Professional Football Conference on December 26, 2022 about the exclusive V-League 2023 brands that include energy drinks and balls. 

After being warned by VPF, HAGL announced that it could drop the V-League 2023.

After negotiation, on February 1, HAGL proposed keeping the sponsor's name but removing the energy drink brand from advertising positions, namely competition and training clothes, and the tournament identifying sets, images and activities in Pleiku stadium. 

On February 2, VPF discussed the issue with the main sponsor of V-League 2023 and agreed with HAGL's proposal.

However, after that, HAGL sent petitions to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the General Department of Physical Training and Sports and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). 

HAGL Group Chairman Doan Nguyen Duc said it would sue VPF for changing its charters.

During the 2022 season, HAGL once received a sponsorship from an energy drink company and there was no dispute because the contract was made before a similar brand signed with VPF. 

According to VPF, the previously signed contract with the energy drink company can still be implemented, but the contract signed with a new brand after the VPF deadline is a violation.

On February 4, HAGL played the first match of the V-League 2023 against Ha Tinh FC. 

Dai Nam