Song Lam Nghe An and drastic solutions against age fraud

To better understand this issue, Nghe An Newspaper reporter had an interview with Mr. Tran Quang Dung - Director of Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center.

Reporter: After the incident at the U11 teamLam River Nghe AnIn the 2024 season, how has Song Lam Nghe An changed to eliminate the problem of player age fraud?

Mr. Tran Quang Dung:It was not until the incident of the U11 Song Lam Nghe An team in the 2024 season that the issue of age fraud was brought to attention. Right from the end of 2023, when I was appointed Deputy Director of the Center, I advised the Club's leadership to propose solutions to prevent this situation.

Since the new sponsor Tan Long took over Song Lam Nghe An, they have clearly shown their desire to build a systematic training system, to create quality players for the first team, as well as provide abundant human resources for the national youth teams. This not only helps to enhance the sponsor's image but also restores the reputation of a club that has produced many outstanding players, making important contributions to the development of Vietnamese football.

To do that, player training must ensure important criteria: talent, physique, tactical thinking and especially the right age. Determining the exact age not only helps to correctly assess the player's ability and potential but also ensures sustainable development. On the contrary, cheating on age can create a temporary advantage but will hinder long-term progress.

Therefore, Song Lam Nghe An Club has determined that the important goal is to train quality players instead of chasing short-term achievements. Therefore, we have stepped up the work of preventing age fraud in youth teams. After the incident at the U11 Song Lam Nghe An team in the 2024 season, we are even more determined to thoroughly clean up the problem of age fraud at the Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center.

Reporter:So what solutions has Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center implemented to eradicate the problem of age fraud?

Mr. Tran Quang Dung:First, regarding the selection of athletes for the center, Song Lam Nghe An Club coordinated with the Department of Justice and Nghe An Police to check the personal information of all players admitted to the Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center. In addition, the Center also organized working groups to go directly to the schools where the athletes studied to check the primary school registration books and verify the real age of each player.

In addition, the Center has established a specialized team of experienced coaches to evaluate the physical, mental and personality of the players. If any abnormalities are detected compared to the declared age, the Center will re-investigate to ensure transparency in the selection.

In parallel with the selection work, the Center has also recently conducted a review of all athletes currently training. The Center has coordinated with the Internal Political Security Department (PA03) of Nghe An Police and schools to compare information and verify the real age of the players. The review results show that players who are overage but have the professional capacity have been transferred to teams appropriate to their actual age. At the same time, in 2025, the Center has terminated contracts with about 30 athletes who are overage but do not meet professional requirements.

In addition, in internal meetings, the Center always thoroughly informs the head coaches about the responsibility to closely monitor the players. If a player is found to have signs of anatomical abnormalities compared to his peers, the coach must report to the Center's leadership for inspection. In particular, the head coach of each class must be directly responsible for any discrepancies related to the age of the players under his management.

Reporter: According toSir, to completely prevent age fraud in youth football, what adjustments are needed from the Vietnam Football Federation?

Mr. Tran Quang Dung:In order to ensure fairness for football teams participating in youth tournaments organized by the Vietnam Football Federation, the Federation needs to adjust some regulations in the tournament regulations. Specifically, in addition to requiring participating teams to provide documents as before, it is necessary to supplement information on the primary school registration books of athletes. At the same time, it is necessary to have authentication from the Department of Justice in the locality where the player was born to ensure the accuracy of information on the Vietnamese Justice System, avoiding errors or fraud.

I believe that with these strict regulations, player age fraud will be difficult to happen, thereby ensuring fairness for all teams participating in the tournament.

Reporter:Thank you for this conversation!