HANOI (15 Oct 2012) – With salaries now being half of what it used to be, Vietnam’s V-League seem to be heading into an uncertain future with several clubs on the brink of having their funding being pulled under them.
Gone were the days of high signing-on fees and fat salaries where even the like of naturalised striker Huynh Kesley now earns less than half of the USD 300,000 he used to earn a season.
And while the VPF (Vietnam Professiona Football) JSV – the body tasked with managing professional football in Vietnam – have received the registration of all 14 clubs to compete at the V-League 2013, still there is some uncertainty if all of them will take to the field in January next year.
Navibank Saigon FC are likely to withdraw from the V-League as they could no longer afford the VND 45 billion (USD 2.1 million) annual budget. Major sponsor Navibank is facing financial difficulties.
It is not only Navibank Saigon who are in trouble as Hanoi FC are also facing problems following the arrest on owner Nguyen Duc Kien.
“The V-League can still run with less than 14 clubs,” stated the VPF in a statement. “Should there be wthdrawals, clubs from the First Division will take over.”
The new season V-League 2013 season has been slated to begin on 19 January.
