Vietnam police probe SEAG match-fixing claims

Vietnam police probe SEAG match-fixing claims

Agence France-Presse, Hanoi

Vietnamese police are investigating allegations of match-
fixing by members of the national soccer squad during the
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines earlier this
month, state media said on Monday.

At least four U23 players are suspected of fixing matches
against Myanmar and Malaysia, the Capital Security newspaper
said.

Another newspaper, the Thanh Nien (Youth) daily, said the
match between Vietnam and Myanmar ended with the "arranged
result" of 1-0 after some Vietnamese players suddenly slowed down
so their opponents could get the game under control.

Thailand beat Vietnam earlier this month in the final of the
Games.

Vietnam Football Federation general secretary Tran Quoc Tuan
declined to comment on the case on Monday.

National coach Alfred Riedl expressed disappointment over the
allegations but said the Vietnam Football Federation was waiting
for the police investigation.

Capital Security said Riedl changed a few players during the
semifinal match between Vietnam and Malaysia (2-1) after he
noticed odd behavior in his squad, but the Austrian denied the
claims.

"I did not see anything. And when some players did not play so
well, I thought it was the bad field conditions. But now, I have
to rethink what I've thought these days," he said.

"I am disappointed. I hope it is not accurate and that
everything will end in a good way. But I am afraid it will not
be.

"Already, it sounds bad," he said.

Vietnamese soccer is facing an uphill task to win back fans as
police are already investigating a major match-fixing and
corruption scandal involving around 90 referees, coaches and
players in the professional V-League.

The domestic league has been marred by allegations of
corruption and match-fixing since its debut 2000-2001 season.

Riedl said the problem could jeopardize the sport's
development in the communist nation if nothing was done.

"As long as you cannot stop it, it will affect football here
in a very bad way," he said.