Football club Cement Xuan Thanh Saigon yesterday announced to leave the on-going V-League to protest a decision by the Vietnam Football Federation to deduct from it four points for the violation it denies – lack of sportsmanship spirit in a recent game.
The disciplinary unit under the VFF accused the Saigon team of engaging in a low-spirited performance during its 1-3 loss to host Kien Giang in the 19th round on August 10. The unfair attitude in competition has marred the image of the league and caused reactions from fans, according to the VFF.
The club’s chairman Nguyen Xuan Thuy convened a meeting yesterday with his board of directors and came to the decision to abandon the league. The decision was informed by a phone call to VFF chairman Nguyen Trong Hy.
“We cannot accept the penalty as the VFF fails to present any concrete evidence. We just sent young players to stage the game to gain experience and we are charged,” said Thuy.
Midfielder Tai Em added that, “The club has no more target ahead so it’s normal for coach Tran Tien Dai to send young players in the starting lineup.”
“We are disappointed at the decision of the VFF,” the player concluded.
VFF chairman Hy said yesterday he would have a meeting soon to find out a solution to the issue.
Article 37 of the Vietnam Professional Football Regulations stipulates that unsportsmanlike behaviors like disrespect for referees, opponents, and the audience and/or staging low-spirited competition will be subject to such penalties as warning, pecuniary fine, prize withdrawal, result annulment, point deduction, or elimination from the competition.
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