Vietnam Football Federation dismisses bribery accusation against top 2 execs

Le Hung Dung, chairman of Vietnam Football Federation (L) and his deputy Tran Quoc Tuan. Photo: Minh Tu

The Vietnam Football Federation has dismissed a former official’s charge that he had bribed its two top executives to avoid being sacked saying there is no evidence to back the allegation.

The VFF inspection committee has declared chairman Le Hung Dung and deputy chairman Tran Quoc Tuan innocent of the accusations made by Nguyen Van Chuong, former director of the VFF’s Young Football Players Training Center.

Chuong alleged he had paid Dung and Tuan VND100 million (US$4,587) each but still ended up being fired.

In a complaint to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the General Department of Sports – with copies to the media — Chuong said he gave Tuan the bribe on July 15 last year, but last May Tuan returned the money, saying he could not help.

Chuong said he met Dung at the latter’s house on August 28 last year to give him the bribe and other gifts.

The VFF’s chief inspector, Nguyen Nam Hung said Dung and Tuan had rejected the allegations and said Chuong might have wanted to defame them.

Only a clock and fruits?

In his complaint, Chuong said Tran Duy Long, former VFF chairman, had accompanied him to Dung’s house when he paid the bribe.

Long confirmed that he and Chuong did visit Dung after he was treated for some illness.

However, he only saw Chuong give Dung some fruits and a clock, he said.

The General Department of Sports, which investigated the case, said Chuong did not provide any evidence for his allegations.

Chuong said he would hand over the evidence to the police.

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