'BTC does not profit from increasing ticket prices to watch Vietnam team'

Before the news that many fans protested against the ticket price increase of the AFF Cup 2014 organizing committee, Thanh Nien Online had a discussion with Mr. Le Hoai Anh - General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) about this issue.

A ticket sales point for AFF Cup 2014 in front of My Dinh Stadium - Photo: Kha Hoa

Mr. Le Hoai Anh affirmed that VFF has no intention of increasing ticket prices after the impressive performance of the Vietnamese team in the group stage of this year's AFF Cup.

"The determination of ticket prices has been discussed by the organizing committee many times and the decision was based on many factors. I confirm that the ticket prices for the second leg of the semi-final between Vietnam and Malaysia have been determined by the organizing committee in advance. There is no exploitation of the team's competition results to increase ticket prices for personal gain.

However, the organizing committee must wait until Vietnam is certain to be in the semi-finals before making a public announcement. This is a general principle so there is no other way.

In any tournament in the world, the later rounds are always more exciting and dramatic than the outer rounds. The closer to the end of the tournament, the higher the ticket prices. Therefore, the increase in ticket prices at this year's AFF Cup is similar to other international tournaments around the world.

Regarding the high ticket prices, as I discussed in the press conference before the tournament, the organizing committee must calculate to compensate for the organization costs including many issues with a huge amount of money. Compared to many tournaments that have been organized before, in my opinion, the current ticket prices are relatively reasonable," said Mr. Le Hoai Anh.

It is likely that the "thirst for tickets" to watch the AFF Cup 2014 semi-finals will soon happen - Photo: Kha Hoa

Although the first leg of the semi-final has not yet taken place (December 7), the heat of the second leg between Vietnam and Malaysia at My Dinh Stadium (December 11) is very hot right now. Many spectators have been looking for ways to get tickets to the stadium to cheer on coach Toshiya Miura and his team. It is likely that the "thirst" for tickets to watch the semi-final will soon happen.

According to Mr. Le Hoai Anh, the organizing committee has anticipated this problem and has come up with a plan to ensure the rights of fans.

"Before any exciting match, the organizers always consider a plan so that the interests of the spectators are not affected.

We have come up with a plan to coordinate with security agencies, Hanoi City Police, My Dinh Stadium management board and ticket distribution companies. Fans who want to buy tickets will have to line up, wait to receive a registration form from the organizing committee and buy tickets at the official counter. This is a plan that has been implemented in many previous events. It is expected that with each registration form, the audience will be able to buy 4 tickets," Mr. Le Hoai Anh affirmed.

According to Thanh Nien