Ninh Binh's corrupt player appeals in vain

Knowing that the chance of having his sentence reduced is not much, Quang Hung still submitted a petition to the Vietnam Football Federation.

"I will appeal. In my opinion, the permanent ban from VFF is too harsh," Quang Hung told VnExpress. "I was wrong, I don't dare to explain or blame anyone. But, even though I know there is not much hope, I still hope VFF will give me a chance to start over. I don't want to say goodbye to football forever at the age of 22."

Quang Hung is one of nine former Ninh Binh players involved in match-fixing and betting on the match against Kelantan on March 18 in the AFC Cup group stage. After the case broke out, the Nam Dinh player was sentenced to 27 months in prison, suspended for 24 months, by the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Court.

After the trial, the right-back still hoped to return to football one day. Therefore, he packed his bags and returned to Ninh Binh, asking to practice with the U19 team. Every week, his father - who is 79 years old - asked someone to send Quang Hung a few hundred thousand for living expenses. However, on December 26, his hope of returning to the professional football field was dashed when the VFF issued a permanent ban on all nine Ninh Binh players involved in the scandal.

Unlike Quang Hung, midfielder Tran Manh Dung decided not to appeal, despite having to serve 30 months in prison as the ringleader. The same is true of Chu Ngoc Anh and Phan Anh Tuan. Gia Tu - another player with a particularly difficult family situation - has not yet decided whether to ask the VFF to reduce his sentence or not.

According to VNE