Song Lam Nghe An has not yet met the requirements to participate in V.League 2020.

In October 2019, the VFF Licensing Board reviewed and approved the licensing proposals for eight clubs to participate in AFC club competitions in 2020, including: B.Binh Duong, SHB Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, Viettel, Than Quang Ninh, Quang Nam, and HAGL.

The remaining clubs, having not fully met the mandatory criteria under the AFC-approved licensing regulations, are ineligible to participate in AFC club competitions in 2020. The mandatory criteria, at levels A and B, include: Sport, Facilities, Administrative Personnel, Legal, and Financial.

The lighting at Vinh Stadium is substandard. Photo: Duc Anh

Recently, the Organizing Committee of Vietnam's professional leagues submitted a proposal to the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation to grant licenses to clubs that do not meet the eligibility requirements to participate in the V.League 2020.

Accordingly, SLNA, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, and Hai Phong are the four teams on the list applying for licenses. These are the teams that did not meet the requirements of the V.League organizing committee last year.

In such cases, the VFF will establish a council comprising representatives from the organizing committee and V.League clubs to vote on whether the four aforementioned teams are allowed to participate in the tournament.

The areas where SLNA has not yet met expectations include:

• - The club failed to submit documentation proving that it had paid its tax debt (a commitment the club had made to do so).

• - The club did not submit documents proving its ability to continue operating in the future (the club had committed to announcing a sponsor).

• - The lighting at Vinh Stadium averages only 382 lux, failing to meet the minimum requirement of 900 lux.

According to the regulations of Vietnamese professional football, each club participating in the V.League must have a minimum budget of 35 billion VND to cover operating costs for a season or a fiscal year. In the near future, if SLNA finds a new sponsor, it will resolve the financial issue.

Furthermore, the lighting system at Vinh Stadium needs upgrading. Currently, SLNA Club has reported this to the leaders of Nghe An province, and the Provincial People's Committee has issued a document requesting the Department of Culture and Sports of Nghe An province to work with relevant departments and agencies to resolve this issue.

Song Lam Nghe An and the decline of the centrally-funded football system.

(Baonghean.vn) – The history of SLNA football team has been filled with countless ups and downs. With its foundation built on talented players, the team from Nghe An province has always stood strong. However, in this era of "strength through wealth and power through money," an iconic team is becoming "dying" amidst the changing times.