VietNamNet Bridge - Once they were rich and lived beyond their means, now many Vietnamese football players are falling into tragic scenes. Some are in debt and have to sell their expensive cars.




Economic crisis has terribly affected the lives of Vietnamese football. A lot of football investors withdrew, leaving football teams without money and in danger of dissolution. In this context, players are not paid and they face the risk of unemployment.

The risk of unemployment has become a reality. Even the top star like Cong Vinh cannot find a new club right now, after his Hanoi FC was disbanded, because no team can afford the transfer fee of over ten billion dong at this moment. In addition, this striker had a very disappointing performance in the AFF Cup 2012.

But Cong Vinh is not afraid if he is unemployed. This striker planned to go to college and he currently runs his own business. Cong Vinh is among “wise” players who are provident for the future. These players have their own business besides playing football.

Thanh Luong, a member of the national team and Hanoi FC, owns a large café in Hanoi. If he becomes jobless, he can still support his family. Many other players also open boutiques, restaurants, small football grounds or even do the real estate business.

However, not everyone among football players is capable of doing business. Most of them just rely on income from football. Now, when they are not paid or cut down, they immediately fall into economic difficulties.

It is a surprise that a member of the national team like Quang Hai had to sell his car after returning home from the AFF Cup to get money to support the family. Quang Hai's wife just delivered a baby. Previously, Quang Hai had lamented being heavily indebted to his teammates because his Navibank Saigon FC could not pay his salary in time.

The situation is even more tragic when the team was disbanded. Hai was transferred to Saigon Xuan Thanh FC but the fate of this club is also dim after its boss stated to leave the team. Though Hai is not a playboy like many other players, but his hobby – fighting cock – is very expensive.

Not only Quang Hai, the stars in Saigon Xuan Thanh, for example, Tai Em, is also at risk of falling into unemployment. Tai Em is still waiting to see the fate of the team after boss Nguyen Duc Thuy withdrew.

In Nghe An, after receiving VND60 million ($3,000) of compensation of Song Lam Nghe An, Van Quyen still does not know what to do next. The 2013 football season is about to start, but no FC wants to buy Van Quyen.

In Thanh Hoa, Leandro’s contract with Thanh Hoa FC has been liquidated. In this difficult context, football clubs have to tighten spending and one of the most effective ways is liquidating contracts with stars.

In Ninh Binh, the local FC is very confused after their boss said to stop investing in football. Recently, this FC turned the green light for Nhu Thanh to look for a new team, although this players still owe the tea VND1 billion.

FCs have to reduce the burden of salaries, bonuses to stay with the V-League 2013. However, when the clubs are doing everything possible to maintain the operation, many players have become unemployed.

S. Tung