Two top chiefs from the referee’s department under the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) were suspended as of June 9 for police investigation after four of their staff referees were denounced of ‘receiving money’ after a match in March.

Duong Vu Lam, head of the referee’s department, and his deputy, Doan Phu Tan, were suspended following a decision approved by VFF chairman Nguyen Trong Hy on Sunday. The match related to the scandal took place on March 3 in Thanh Hoa between the host and Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Thanh Hoa won 1-0.

Four referees officiated, including the main referee Dinh Hai Duong, and assistants Kieu Viet Hung, Pham Dac Chien, and Do Manh Ha.

In a meeting of the referee’s department on June 8 in Hanoi, Lam confirmed to Tuoi Tre that the four referees ‘had taken envelopes filled with money from a stranger’.

Duong told Tan that he had received an envelope with VND50 million (US$2,400) inside from a stranger soon after the game at Thanh Hoa Stadium, according to Lam. Three other officials also admitted they had taken envelopes from a stranger, ‘each with less than 50 million dong’.

However, the four referees mentioned nothing about the money they had received in their written reports to the VFF.

“The two chiefs, Lam and Tan, had known of the bribery but didn’t report it to the VFF for investigation. This proves that they have been plotting to shield the corruption,” said chairman Hy.

Lam told Tuoi Tre following the VFF decision that, “I am astonished with the decision of the VFF. It hints at an idea that we are also accused of receiving money or shielding my staff.”

The VFF has forwarded the case to police for investigation, and the involved referees are required to re-write their reports.

In 2007, former referee Luong Trung Viet and five of his colleagues were arrested and later sentenced to jail terms for receiving money from clubs to manipulate the results of football matches.