VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) will issue local footballers competing in the national V-League and First Division professional status, next year.

Going pro: Vietnamese football players during a train session. The Viet Nam Football Federation has planned to strengthen its management to boost professionalism across the league. (Photo: VNS)

Vien, who helped draw up Viet Nam's professional football system in 2001, said that the VFF will act in accordance with FIFA and Asian Football Confederation regulations.

"While previously, players were granted competition cards and signed labour contracts with their clubs, the VFF will call on all Vietnamese players to register for professional licenses by next year," Vien explained.

He explained that the VFF would grant five-year licenses to each player, which could be extended by more than three years on expiry.

"Licences will serve as guarantees for Vietnamese footballers competing throughout Viet Nam, recognising the fact that each player had already undergone accredited training," Vien added.

The country's football governing body will additionally require footballers to have legal agents from next year, while foreign players would need a FIFA-accredited agent to protect them from risk.

"The strict regulations are set to defend both local and foreign players from legal disputes," said VFF head of discipline, Nguyen Hai Huong.

"Some players have been signing contracts with teams via unofficial agents which is risky," he added

Vietnamese-American Mae Mua, granted a FIFA Player Agent Licence in 2006, said that at least 20 unofficial agents have been plying their trade in Viet Nam.

Mua, one of two official FIFA-agents in Viet Nam, said that her job had been made tougher by unofficial agents.

The VFF also said that it would not allow sponsors to change the names of clubs or simultaniously own two clubs competing in a championship.

In a meeting in Ha Noi, the VFF vice chairman said that all football teams will be required to operate with profit by 2013, supported by audited balance-sheet to be sent to the VFF three months after championships have ended during the next two years.

Football teams will also need to ensure revenues of at least VND40 billion (US$2 million) gained from annual advertising, TV broadcasting rights, ticket sales and transfers.

If team expenditure exceeded income by 30 per cent, they will be relegated immediately.

Teams must reserve at least 30 per cent of annual profits towards training young players in centres to be constructed by 2014.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News