Football Revolution: VPF Replaces VFF as V-League Organizer

The proposal for a Vietnam Football Joint Stock Company, put forward by a group of six club owners, received the absolute support of 28 club presidents, forcing the Vietnam Football Federation to accept it.

VFF General Secretary Tran Quoc Tuan and Vice President Hung Dung. Photo: Ngoc Quan

A revolution has occurred in Vietnamese football: Instead of holding a vote to elect a new league chairman or signing a commitment to "clean football," the meeting between the VFF and the owners of the 28 teams participating in the 2012 V-League (First Division) shifted the focus to establishing the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) – a "product" of Mr. Nguyen Duc Kien, chairman of Hanoi ACB, and his five counterparts from the clubs Dong Tam Long An, Ninh Binh, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, and Thanh Hoa.

VPF will replace VFF in organizing and managing the V-League. VPF was established by members of the 2012 V-League with a charter capital of over 21 billion VND. Each team contributed 1 billion VND (equivalent to 4.6% of the charter capital), while the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) contributed the remaining 36.5%. VPF is established and operates under the Enterprise Law, adhering to the regulations of VFF and FIFA. The highest authority of VPF is the Board of Directors. VFF, with 36.5% of the charter capital, retains autonomy but cannot impose its will. Clubs have their own say but must adhere to the established direction… According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Kien, this model is widely applied in countries with developed football.

The proposal to establish VPF (Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company) by the club owners was considered good by VFF President Nguyen Trong Hy. However, according to Vice President Le Hung Dung, VPF can only be implemented from the 2013 season because the establishment process involves many steps and takes a lot of time. "I wrote this proposal in two hours. Another hour to discuss and revise it with my colleagues. It only takes a month for VPF to be established," Mr. Kien countered.

Following the opinion of the Hanoi ACB team's chairman, a series of club owners publicly expressed their support. Mr. Thang of Dong Tam Long An believes this will be a breakthrough for Vietnamese football. "If we implement this plan well, I think in about two years we will surpass Thailand," Mr. Thang emphasized.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai's "Chairman" Duc believes this is an inevitable choice because "only with comprehensive changes can the V-League improve." Not only the group of six club owners proposed the establishment of VPF, but all other club owners and representatives also wholeheartedly support the plan to create VPF.

Representatives of the 2012 First Division even suggested establishing a similar company to run the league. Alternatively, an opportunity should be created for the 14 First Division teams to contribute capital to VPF, but at a lower rate than the V-League teams.

The overwhelming support of 28 clubs for the proposal to establish VPF forced the VFF to change its stance. “Professional football cannot be separated from businesses. We must join hands for the development of Vietnamese football. The proposal from the club owners – who are successful businessmen – is excellent and very feasible. The establishment of VPF doesn't need the VFF Standing Committee's decision. I myself can decide and take responsibility for my decision. Sometimes historical opportunities arise, and we must seize them immediately and not let them slip away. The sixth term of the VFF is about to end; if this proposal succeeds, it will make it easier for subsequent terms to operate.” VFF President Nguyen Trong Hy voiced his support for the VPF establishment plan.

The head of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has urged club owners to work closely with the VFF in establishing the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF). According to Mr. Hy, the VFF will set up a working group to meet with club owners early next week to expedite the establishment of VPF.

"Ideally, this plan should be finalized within about a month, before the VFF's annual congress (mid-December), and the 2012 season should still proceed as planned. However, if the establishment of VPF takes longer, the opening date of the new season may be postponed," Mr. Hy said.

(According to VnExpress)