Rumours that two of Vietnam’s professional football teams previously owned by arrested tycoon Nguyen Duc Kien may be shut down are gathering pace.
According to a DTiNews source, a meeting to consider the future of Hanoi Football Club (playing in the V-League) and the Young Hanoi Football Club (playing in the First Division) was held after their investor Nguyen Duc Kien was arrested in September due to accusations he had broken the law while being the Chairman of three different companies.
However, to date, no official of Hanoi ACB Investment Joint Stock Company has yet confirmed that the rumours are true.
If the clubs are closed the Vietnam Professional Football Company (VPF) will have to maintain their operations in the V-League and First Division. Earlier, the Vietnam Football Federation and VPF suggested that if such a situation arose, they would have to seek new owners for the two teams.
If the rumour is true, it is not easy for VFF and VPF to find a company to take over the clubs, particularly when up to three to five teams currently playing in the V-League want to leave football or face uncertain future as their investors consider withdrawing their capital.
The shut-down of Hanoi Football Club would affect stars such as Le Cong Vinh and Thanh Luong. A year ago, Nguyen Duc Kien signed Cong Vinh for the club. If the club closes, it will be difficult for Cong Vinh to find an alternative club due to his high wage demands.