VietNamNet Bridge – Ninh Binh FC will quit the V-League but will continue its planned competition at the AFC Cup.

AFC concerns over Ninh Binh FC’s match-fixing case

On Monday, Ninh Binh sent official word to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the Vietnam Professional Football JSC (VPF), asking for permission to withdraw from the remaining matches at V-League 2014, pending resolution of a match-fixing scandal involving its players. However, it will not withdraw from the AFC Cup.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and VFF have made it known that they support Ninh Binh’s decision.

The AFC has expressed its profound concern over the allegations against Ninh Binh’s players. Eleven players have admitted their involvement in illegal betting. They bet on the game between their team and Kelantan FC of Malaysia in the AFC Cup on March 18.

In the latest developments, two of the 11 implicated players, Hoang Danh Ngoc and Le Van Thang, were allowed to resume training with their team on Monday to prepare for the next match in the AFC Cup against Yangon United of Myanmar, scheduled for April 22. According to police, Ngoc and Thang did not bet, but they still received money from the betting winnings. The nine remaining players are cooperating with the investigating agency.

According to Goal.com, the AFC will support Ninh Binh in the fight against match fixing and in its efforts to continue its quest for the AFC Cup.

After Ninh Binh’s withdrawal, V-League 2014 has 12 teams. The results of the matches between Ninh Binh and other teams in the V-League will be annulled.

Under the VFF’s rules, a team quitting the V-League is required to pay a VND100 million ($5,000) fine, and is downgraded to the Third Division Tournament. However, Ninh Binh’s voluntary withdrawal over the match-fixing scandal is being praised by the VFF.

This week the VFF executive board will meet to make a decision on Ninh Binh’s case.

Nguyen Dung