Song Lam Nghe An is at risk of not participating in the V.League next season.

April 30th is the deadline for clubs to complete their licensing applications to participate in the V.League 2026/2027. For Song Lam Nghe An, the worry is already evident as the team has not yet met the most important criterion in the licensing system: finances.

According to regulations from the Vietnam Football Federation and VPF, a club wishing to participate in the V.League must meet five mandatory criteria: sporting performance, facilities, personnel organization, legal compliance, and financial resources. Of these, financial resources are a prerequisite.

Football teams must have audited financial statements, no overdue debts to players, staff, or tax authorities, and must demonstrate a stable source of funding throughout the season.

Notably, according to regulations, each club participating in the V.League must ensure financial resources of approximately 45 billion VND to be able to operate and participate in the entire season.

For Song Lam Nghe An, this is the biggest bottleneck. Over the past period, Song Lam Nghe An Sports Joint Stock Company has strived to meet the licensing criteria for the 2026/2027 season. However, regarding the financial criterion, the club lacks the basis to demonstrate sufficient resources, as it has not yet signed a contract or commitment agreement with a sponsor for the upcoming season.

The reason stems from the fact that the main sponsor, Tan Long, will cease its partnership after the 2025/2026 season. With the old financial resources gone and no replacement yet in sight, the team is in a vulnerable position.

In a letter sent to the Nghe An Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Song Lam Nghe An Sports Joint Stock Company requested the Department to provide support as soon as possible so that the club can meet the financial criteria and participate in the tournament.

Sharing his concerns on this matter, Mr. Ho Le Duc, the club's General Director, could not hide his worry: "We are truly very worried. The club has sent two official letters on March 26th and April 21st to request guidance and to find solutions to ensure the necessary funding as per the licensing regulations. However, to date, we have still not received any specific information."

According to Mr. Duc, if the paperwork is not completed by the April 30 deadline, Song Lam Nghe An will have no basis to be granted permission to participate in the new season. In that case, the team may be excluded from the V.League, something that has never happened in its nearly 50-year history.

Founded in 1979, Song Lam Nghe An is one of the most traditional football clubs in Vietnam. Throughout its long history, the team has never been relegated, always being a source of pride for fans in Nghe An province and producing many players for the national teams.

In recent years, despite financial difficulties, the team has maintained stability thanks to its own youth academy. In the 2025/2026 season, Song Lam Nghe An is currently ranked 8th in the standings, creating a safe 11-point gap from the bottom group with 6 rounds remaining.

That's the result of hard work and an unyielding spirit. But behind those on-field achievements lies growing anxiety about the future.

Without secure funding soon, all plans will be stalled. The lack of a license not only causes the team to miss the new season, but also leads to a host of repercussions, affecting personnel, player contracts, and the image of a club with a rich tradition.

"We are hoping that an organization will soon commit to providing financial support. This is not just a story for the club, but also a source of pride for Nghe An football," Mr. Ho Le Duc shared.

Duc Anh