Huynh Hong Son.

VietNamNet – Four former players of Saigon Port (Southern Steel/Saigon Port at present) involved in 2000-01 match fixing will be suspended by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Early this week they the four players, Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Chuong, Ho Van Loi, Nguyen Van Phung, and Huynh Hong Son, handed in VND30mil (US$1,800) each to police.

According to Truong Tan Hai, former player from Song Lam Nghe An Truong Huu Thang, gave him VND300mil ($18,750) in the 2000-01 football season and asked him to give the money to certain players of Saigon Port to encourage them to “help Song Lam Nghe An win the championship.” Hai gave VND30mil to each of the four.

At present, Van Phung is goalkeeper/coach of Southern Steel – Saigon Port, and Nguyen Chuong and Van Loi are regulars. Hong Son plays for the HCM City First Division club.

Nguyen Hai Huong, Head of the VFF’s disciplinary panel, said: “It happened a long time ago but VFF still have to punish them because their violations in the past can’t be buried by time. Players, managers and staff who are prosecuted, and those under investigation will be temporarily suspended or suspended.”

Mr Huong confirmed that though police have not released their findings, the players would be suspended after VFF sends word to investigators requesting a report. Mr Huong did not reveal when suspensions would occur.

(Source: TN)