Six Vietnamese footballers sentenced with probation from 24-30 months for match fixing, may return to international competition at the 24th Southeast Asian Games to be played later this year. A source from the Vietnam Football Federation told Thanh Nien newspaper that the VFF's own 18-month ban on the players will be retroactive to December 2005 when the players were arrested, meaning the ban would last to June 2007.
The athletes are not banned from playing during the VFF’s probationary period, to start in July this year. Thus, with the SEA Games to kick off in December 2007, the six players, Van Quyen, Quoc Anh, Hai Lam, Van Truong, Bat Hieu and Phuoc Vinh, could be back in national colours if they regain form and strength. "A court leader confirmed the players could definitely play football during the probation because the verdict did not include any additional clause banning them from playing sports or taking a job," the newspaper commented.
The athletes are not banned from playing during the VFF’s probationary period, to start in July this year. Thus, with the SEA Games to kick off in December 2007, the six players, Van Quyen, Quoc Anh, Hai Lam, Van Truong, Bat Hieu and Phuoc Vinh, could be back in national colours if they regain form and strength. "A court leader confirmed the players could definitely play football during the probation because the verdict did not include any additional clause banning them from playing sports or taking a job," the newspaper commented.