Authorities in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam on Thursday initiated legal proceedings against five footballers from the same team over allegations of match-fixing in a domestic second-tier league.

The players involved, including goalkeeper Nguyen Son Hai, 30, midfielder Le Bang Gia Huy, 22, winger Nguyen Quang Huy, center-back Tran Ky Anh, and striker Pham Van Phong, all 20, allegedly played below par in the Ba Ria-Vung Tau versus SHB Da Nang match on December 24, 2023. 

They purportedly bet on SHB Da Nang’s victory on football betting websites. 

Ba Ria-Vung Tau FC, initially leading 1-0, lost 1-3 after conceding three late goals. 

Colonel Bui Van Thao, director of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Public Security, disclosed that the investigation is ongoing, with the players released on bail. 

Ba Ria-Vung Tau FC president Dinh Hong Vinh also announced the termination of the five players’ contracts. 

Vinh further stated, “We observed the players underperforming in the match and requested authorities to investigate, and the case is now nearing conclusion.”

This incident marks a recurrence of match rigging in the 2023-24 V-League 2, the second-tier tournament in Vietnam. 

Previously, Dong Nai FC from the namesake southern province terminated contracts with four players, namely Le Khanh Toan, Do Duy Nam, Nguyen Trong Kiet, and Nguyen Van Tung, following their underperformance in a 0-4 loss against Ba Ria-Vung Tau FC during Round 4 of the season on November 5, 2023. 

Three out of the four played in defensive positions, and all four goals conceded were attributed to defensive lapses.

SHB Da Nang, hailing from the central city of the same name, are leading the standings with 17 points after seven games this season, while Ba Ria-Vung Tau sit in fourth place with 12 points, followed closely by Dong Nai in fifth with 11 points.

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