Allegations of bribery at the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF): Is a bomb about to explode?

(Baonghean) - Immediately after the Vietnam U23 team lost to Myanmar U23 in the semi-finals of the 28th SEA Games, allegations of bribery involving VFF officials were made public. Accordingly, Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong, former Director of the VFF's youth training center, accused the VFF president and vice president of bribery in personnel restructuring.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong worked at the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) since 2009 as the Director of the Youth Training Center. However, due to organizational changes, Mr. Chuong was dismissed on June 1st as part of a personnel reduction. Immediately after his dismissal, Mr. Chuong filed a complaint against the VFF President and Vice President, Mr. Le Hung Dung and Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan. More specifically, Mr. Chuong stated in his complaint that, in order to get a position in the national team department of the federation, he had to "bribe" these two VFF officials behind the scenes.

The President and Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) have been accused of wrongdoing.

In his complaint, Mr. Chuong stated: “I noticed that Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan deliberately made it difficult for me to get a job and showed signs of suggesting that I use money to get assigned to the national team department (after the VFF transferred Mr. Chuong out of the Youth Training Center, Mr. Chuong wanted to be transferred to the National Team department but was assigned by the VFF leadership to be Deputy Head of the Movement Department, and then dismissed). On July 15th, Mr. Tuan received 100 million VND in cash from me without any questioning. This blatant act of accepting money further confirms that Mr. Tuan intentionally abused his position and authority to force me to bribe him.” Also in this complaint, Mr. Chuong stated that he went to the home of VFF President Le Hung Dung and gave him a watch worth 30 million VND, fruit worth 5 million VND, and 100 million VND in cash.

In response to Mr. Chuong's accusations, Mr. Le Hung Dung and Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan both stated that they were untrue. The truth remains unknown, but Mr. Chuong's complaint, made at a time when the Vietnam U23 team failed to reach the SEA Games 28 final, sparked a strong public reaction.

Regarding this incident, Mr. Nguyen Hong Thanh, General Director of SLNA Football Club Joint Stock Company, stated: “The incident is very regrettable and certainly no one wanted it to happen. But since it has occurred, it must, of course, be handled according to the law. The information in the complaint is only a part, presented in a one-sided manner, so it needs to be clarified. According to principle, when a complaint is received, the VFF Inspection Committee must be the first to review and investigate. After that, depending on the nature of the case, an inspection team may have to be established, with the participation of many relevant agencies.”

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is an independent unit under the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, so they certainly understand how to handle complaints and denunciations. The procedures and resolution methods are clearly stipulated by law and don't need much discussion. At this time, public opinion is putting pressure on those responsible to do this or that, but in my opinion, everything must be carefully considered based on legal procedures.

On a personal level, I hope that the relevant authorities, especially those in positions of responsibility, will seriously and lawfully investigate the root of the problem. Everything must be resolved thoroughly and promptly to avoid any negative impact. The V.League is about to resume, and if these controversies are not resolved thoroughly, many more problems could easily arise.

Currently, the VFF Executive Committee has not yet commented because everyone is adhering to the principles of the Law on Complaints and Denunciations. Only when the inspection committee or the investigation team reaches a conclusion can the Executive Committee make its decisions. Fans nationwide are holding their breath, hoping that the incident is not as serious as Mr. Chuong alleged in his complaint.

Vinh Liem