On January 30, the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) sent a dispatch to the HAGL club after working with the main sponsor of V.League 2023. Accordingly, VPF upheld the decision to ask HAGL not to advertise other energy drink brands in order to avoid "collusion" with the main sponsor of V.League's product line.

HAGL immediately responded, saying the team is unlikely to participate in this football season due to insufficient financial resources as it has relied heavily on revenue from its sponsor - an energy drink brand.

If FC does not participate in V.League 2023, it will fall to the Third Division tournament under the current rules. 

If the team wants to return to the professional system, it will have to play in the lowest division and then go up step by step.

According to the Vietnam Football Federation’s disciplinary regulations, an FC that has registered to participate but has withdrawn from the tournament may receive a penalty.

If HAGL withdraws, it is likely that V.League 2023 will continue the season with only 13 teams. This case is similar to V.League 2022 when the Quang Ninh FC team were ruled out.

Duy Nguyen