Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), the organizer of Vietnam's professional football tournaments, has officially submitted an official document to Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) about the continuation of Vietnam's professional football tournaments based on the solutions which had been sent to the domestic football clubs.
Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), the organizer of Vietnam’s professional football tournaments, has officially submitted an official document to Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) about the continuation of Vietnam’s professional football tournaments based on the solutions which had been sent to the domestic football clubs. Accordingly, VPF proposed the schedules of the tournaments from mid-November 2021 to March 2022 but with some adjustments to promotion and relegation formats.
Several different opinions
More than half a month ago, VPF sent a document to the domestic football clubs about the options to continue V.League 1 and 2 and National Cup 2021 from November 2021 until March 2022. Some clubs disagreed with the option of extending the tournaments; some hoped that the tournaments would resume.
V.League 2021 may continue with adjusted formats
Chairman of Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club said that with the current complicated development of the pandemic, it doesn’t seem certain that the plan proposed by the organizer can be implemented. Therefore, extending the tournaments will affect the teams’ expenditure seriously. Hong Linh Ha Tinh hope that the organizer will offer more options, such as ending the tournament without any team winning or being relegated.
Becamex Binh Duong Club want to end the 2021 season. According to the club, if the tournament continues being extended, it will cause the club to face financial difficulties. The club’s sponsorship contracts only last until October 31; their latest contracts with players are until December. In case the tournaments are extended, the team will not have enough funds to maintain operation, especially to retain foreign players whose contracts with the club will expire soon.
Besides, about seven to eight clubs proposed the organizer accept the current results of the tournaments and change the formats appropriately. For example, Saigon Club proposed crowning Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) 2021 V.League 1 champions because, based on the current results on the rankings, HAGL, Viettel and Than Quang Ninh will be the three teams representing Vietnam at AFC’s tournament. Meanwhile, Hai Phong Club proposed the final match between HAGL and Viettel. Topenland Binh Dinh Club expressed their support for the final decision of the organizer; however, if the tournament continues to be played, the organizer needs to ensure safety against COVID-19 and offer financial support to the clubs.
Waiting for decision of VFF
Reportedly, after receiving opinions from the clubs and shareholders, VPF agreed to continue organizing the 2021 season as the proposed plan but with some adjustments to the promotion and relegation formats. The National Championship LS 2021, V.League 1, will have no play-offs, and only the club at the 14th position will be relegated to the first division league V.League 2, 2022 season (the number of relegated teams is reduced to one instead of 1.5 as the current format).
In V.League 2, there will be one club being promoted to V.League 1 next season and no play-offs (the number of promoted teams is reduced to one instead of 1.5 as the current format). Meanwhile, the number of relegated V.League 2 teams will be remained one.
VPF also proposed that VFF consider and adjust the legal regulations related to player transfer and registration to suit the actual situations of the pandemic.
However, in order for the tournament to end as desired, it is thought that the organizer needs to have a more specific and detailed plan, especially soon vaccinate the players against COVID-19.
