VietNamNet Bridge – The owners of six clubs playing at the V-League national championship has signed a petition, asking the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to establish a company to run the V-League.
The petition was raised at a meeting on September 29, between VFF and representatives of 28 football clubs (FC), which are playing at the V-League and the First Division Tournament, in Hanoi to discuss the renovation of Vietnam’s football in the upcoming season.

The six FCs that signed the petition include: Dong Tam Long An’s Chairman, Vo Quoc Thang, including Doan Nguyen Duc of Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Nguyen Duc Kien from Hanoi ACB, Vissai Ninh Binh’s, Hoang Manh Truong, Khatoco Khanh Hoa’s, Le Tien Anh, and Lam Son Thanh Hoa’s Nguyen Van De.

While the VFF prefers to retain its full control via its own organization board, through the election of a new organizer for both: the V-League and the First Division Tournament; some FCs want to go further with renovation.

Dong Tam Long An FC’s owner, Vo Quoc Thang, said, “We have tested with professional football for ten years but the outcomes are very disappointing. Time can’t wait and fans are also impatient to wait for slow reforms.”

“Therefore, we businessmen who invest in football, have discussed and agreed to put forward a proposal which can make stronger changes. We owe it to the Vietnamese football fans to develop the country’s football to a higher level,” he said.

Hanoi ACB’s Nguyen Duc Kien said: “We do not aim to replace any individual. What we and fans need is the development of Vietnam’s football.”

According to the plan drafted by the six FCs, the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company will be set up to run the V-League as developed countries do. This is also the model that the FIFA recommended Vietnam to follow.

Accordingly, the Vietnam’s football governing body, VFF contributes VND7.875 billion or 35.6 percent of the share capital of the company, while 14 V-League clubs each contribute VND1 billion (US$48,100) to hold totally 64.4 percent.

As shareholders of the company, both the VFF and 14 clubs will have the rights and responsibilities in making major decisions, including the hiring and firing of the company personnel.

The company will work on behalf of the VFF and clubs to take full responsibility towards match attendance, refereeing, and other organization tasks in running competition at the league.

The company will hold annual shareholders’ meetings under Vietnam’s business law.

The VFF seems unwilling to loosen their control over the leagues and insists on keeping the organization board under the VFF. “The new league will start in January next year and a three-month period does not give us enough time to set up such a share-holding company,” VFF chairman Nguyen Trong Hy said.

However, as the idea is warmly supported by 28 FCs of V-League and First Division Tournament, VFF has to agree. VFF’s Chair asked owners of FCs to be side by side with the VFF in establishing the company.

Hy said that VFF will set up a working group to promote the idea with FCs. The working group and FCs will meet early next week.

“It is best if the project completes within a month, before VFF’s annual meeting (in mid-December) and the 2012 football season will start as schedule, otherwise, the new football season will start late,” Hy said.

PV