GAME ON: HCM City FC's Nguyễn Công Phượng (left) in a recent match versus Hà Nội FC in the V.League 1. Photo bongda24h.vn

 FOOTBALL

HÀ NỘI – The head honcho of domestic football has come out against calls to cancel the season amid the return of community coronavirus transmission in Việt Nam.

Việt Nam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) chairman Trần Anh Tú said scrapping the V.League 1 season would harm the national team, sponsors and clubs' finances.

“This will affect the playing opportunity for the players, making it harder to maintain form and serve the national football team,” he said.

“Therefore, the VPF will only cancel the league in case of force majeure, when there is no time left. At this time, the clubs need to wait patiently, follow the situation of COVID-19 in Việt Nam and there will be a decision in the future."

Previously, the four teams at the bottom of the table, namely Quảng Nam, Hải Phòng, Nam Định and Sông Lam Nghệ An, all submitted proposals to end the league and hand the championship to leaders Sai Gon FC.

However, the idea was rejected by both the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the VPF, which runs the V.League 1.

“The VPF has received proposals to end the V.League 1 from Quảng Nam, Hải Phòng, Nam Định and Sông Lam Nghệ An. I have reported this issue to VFF Chairman Lê Khánh Hải”, Tú said.  

“We also just finished the meeting on Tuesday. We appreciate the recommendations of the teams, but now is not the time to consider ending the league early,” he added.

After new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in central Việt Nam over the weekend, local football was once again suspended on Sunday.

In a related development, Quảng Nam FC's playing squad and backroom staff have self-quarantined because assistant coach Dương Văn Tuyến visited Da Nang Hospital C in the past few days, which has been linked to many new COVID-19 infections.

Tuyến has filled in a health declaration and is now under home quarantine.  

The players and members of the coaching staff who had contact with Tuyến in the past few days must self-quarantine and fill in health declarations. — VNS