Several Vietnamese players were found to have intentionally underperformed in exchange for payments from a gambling syndicate, leading to criminal charges and suspensions. This scandal also had a negative effect on Vietnamese football, especially concerning football betting and match-fixing.[4]
The Vietnam U-23 team participated in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games as the defending runner-up, having lost to the Thailand U-23 team in the finals of the tournament two years prior, in 2003.[5] To prepare for the SEA Games, the team competed in the LG Cup and Agribank Cup friendly tournaments and successfully won both.[6][7][8]
On the other hand, the Myanmar U-23 team also reached the semi-finals and finished fourth in the last SEA Games.[9] This team was regarded as a potential dark horse in the 2005 SEA Games.[10][11]
On 21 November 2005, player Lê Quốc Vượng contacted Trương Tấn Hải and Lý Quốc Kỳ, former national team players, to discuss fixing the match between Vietnam U-23 and Myanmar U-23.[12][13] On the afternoon of 24 November, following a technical meeting before the match, Quốc Vượng met with five players, including Trần Hải Lâm, Lê Văn Trương, Lê Bật Hiếu, Phạm Văn Quyến, and Huỳnh Quốc Anh, in a private room at a hotel. Vượng said that if Vietnam won against Myanmar by one goal, a local betting ring would give them 20 to 30 million VND (around US$1000) and suggested that each player bet another 20 to 30 million VND.[12][14] When the group gathered in Quốc Vượng's room, there were also Châu Lê Phước Vĩnh, Lê Tấn Tài and Phan Văn Tài Em, who were invited by Quốc Vượng and Văn Trương.[15][16] Almost everyone supported Quốc Vượng's plan to get money, except for Phan Văn Tài Em, who refused to participate and reported their entire plan to assistant coach Lê Thụy Hải and interpreter Trần Hùng Cường.[16][17] Lê Tấn Tài also stated, "I can help the team win, but I don't want to get involved in the betting."[15]
After finalizing the deal with his teammates, Vượng reached out to broker Trương Tấn Hải to set up the betting and sort out the odds for the players involved. He mentioned that seven players had agreed to participate and requested Tấn Hải to place a bet of 250 million VND.[16]
Match results
In this match, Quốc Vượng, Văn Quyến, Văn Trương, Quốc Anh, Bật Hiếu, Phước Vĩnh, and Hải Lâm were started.[18] Vietnam started the match strong, controlling the ball and creating opportunities from the outset. However, halfway through the first half, Myanmar changed their strategy, putting more pressure on Vietnam and making it tough for them to play. Myanmar even had a good opportunity to score before half-time but could not make it count. As a result, the first half ended with no goals from either team.[18][19]
In the second half, Vietnam improved their performance, holding off the Burmese attack.[20] In the 65th minute, Nguyễn Văn Biển was substituted for Quốc Anh and quickly made an impact. Just a minute later, he delivered a great cross into the penalty area, allowing Phan Văn Tài Em to score with a header, giving Vietnam the lead in the 66th minute. As stipulated in the bet, the Vietnamese players started to hold onto the ball in their half. The game ended with Vietnam winning 1–0.[18][20]
The match result guaranteed that the players received their money as promised, and it also helped Quốc Vượng to win a bet worth 250 million VND.[21][22] On 26 November 2005, Vượng contacted his girlfriend Phạm Thị Cẩm Lai, a flight attendant,[23] to meet with Trương Tấn Hải to collect the money.[24][25] In total, Vượng received an amount equivalent to about 490 million VND, which included 25,000 USD (around 400 million VND at that time) and an additional 90 million VND. The total amount of money was less than Vượng's transfer value that year.[12][24]
Out of the money collected, broker Lý Quốc Kỳ sent 240 million VND to the players involved in the match-fixing, with the remaining winnings going to Vượng.[12] When Vượng returned to Ho Chi Minh City on 5 December, he shared 20 million VND each with players Văn Quyến, Bật Hiếu and Quốc Anh, who set aside another 20 million VND for Phước Vĩnh.[26][27] However, Văn Trương and Hải Lâm chose not to accept any money from Vượng because they felt ashamed of their actions.[24]
Investigation
Before the semi-final match between Vietnam U-23 and Malaysia U-23, officials found signs of possible match-fixing. This led to an investigation by the General Department of Security[vi] and the Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam.[28][29] They intercepted a phone conversation involving a reporter who was allegedly acting as a broker for Văn Quyến and Hải Lâm.[30] On 2 December, the head of security for the Vietnamese national team warned several players, including Văn Quyến and Hải Lâm, about the situation.[30] During that time, some national team players had reported their concerns to the investigation agency; they believed that certain players on the team were match-fixing, as the team did not perform to their full potential in the match.[28][31]
On 12 December, Phạm Xuân Quắc[vi], the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department of Social Order, called up ten players, including Văn Quyến, Hải Lâm, Văn Trương and Bật Hiếu.[28][32] Investigators believed Quốc Vượng was the instigator behind this case.[33] On 20 December, following a search at Quốc Vượng's home in Vinh City, police found a cache of money.[33] On the same day, the police also found out about Văn Quyến's.[34]
In response to concerns raised during the 2005 SEA Games, Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Văn Khải ordered an investigation into the actions of Vietnamese players.[35][36] The Vietnam Football Federation was also asked to review the situation.[36] In June 2006, at the request of the investigation agency, the Vietnam Football Federation examined the video footage of that match. Their analysis concluded that the actions of some players were connected to match-fixing.[13]
Trial
This case was tried by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court[vi] on 25 January 2007 and appealed on 20 April 2007.[23] At the end of the trial, Lê Quốc Vượng and Trương Tấn Hải were sentenced to prison,[37][38] while the other players received only suspended sentences due to mitigating circumstances.[23]
All players were ordered to return the total of 490 million VND that they had earned through match-fixing, and each of them was also fined 5 million VND.[41] One of the individuals involved, Lý Quốc Kỳ, chose to turn himself into the police on 11 July 2008 and also received a fine of 10 million VND.[38] Additionally, two other individuals, Lê Thụy Hải and Trần Hùng Cường, faced disciplinary actions due to their involvement in the situation.[13][43] All seven players were banned from playing in other countries by FIFA.[44]
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