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2005 Vietnamese football match-fixing scandal

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Myanmar U-23 vs Vietnam U-23
Bacolod scandal
Shame of Bacolod
Event2005 SEA Games men's football
Group B
Third round
Myanmar U-23 Vietnam U-23
Myanmar Vietnam
0 1
Date24 November 2005
VenuePaglaum Stadium, Bacolod, Philippines
RefereeThatsokon (Thailand)

The 2005 Vietnamese men's football match-fixing scandal, also known as the "Disgrace of Bacolod" or the Bacolod scandal, refers to a scandal in the match between the Vietnam under-23 football team and the Myanmar under-23 football team on 24 November 2005, during the third round of the 2005 SEA Men's football event held in Bacolod, Philippines.[1][2][3]

The match-fixing scandal was discovered and investigated by the Vietnamese police. Several players were arrested and given prison sentences of varying lengths. This scandal also had a negative effect on Vietnamese football, especially concerning football betting and match-fixing.[4]

Background

[edit]
Main article: Football at the 2005 SEA Games

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 championships.[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]

Group B after the second round
Place Team Pld W D L GF GA GD PTS
1 Vietnam Vietnam 2 2 0 0 10 3 +7 6
2 Laos Laos 2 1 0 1 5 10 –5 3
3 Indonesia Indonesia 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
4 Myanmar Myanmar 2 0 1 1 2 3 –1 1
5 Singapore Singapore 1 0 0 1 1 2 –1 0

Match-fixing plans

[edit]
Lê Quốc Vượng in 2021

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

[edit]

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]

Myanmar U-23 Myanmar0–1Vietnam Vietnam U-23
Detail
Details VFF		 Phan Văn Tài Em 66'
Referee: Thatsokon (Thailand)
U-23 Myanmar
U-23 Vietnam
GK 1 Aung Aung Oo
DF 5 Zaw Linn Tun Yellow card 45+1'
DF 7 Khin Maung Tun
DF 19 Moe Win
MF 4 Kyaw Zayar Win
MF 6 Kyaw Khing Win Yellow card 28'
MF 14 Myo Min Tun
MF 17 Soe Thiha Aung Yellow card 7' downward-facing red arrow 75'
FW 9 Yan Paing
FW 10 Soe Myat Min (c) downward-facing red arrow 64'
FW 11 Mar La
Reserve:
FW 13 Zaw Zaw upward-facing green arrow 75'
MF 15 Kyaw Thura upward-facing green arrow 64'
Manager:
Bulgaria Ivan Kolev
GK 1 Bùi Quang Huy
RB 14 Châu Lê Phước Vĩnh
CB 17 Lê Bật Hiếu
CB 16 Trần Hải Lâm
LB 2 Lê Văn Trương
CM 19 Lê Tấn Tài
CM 20 Lê Quốc Vượng
CM 22 Phan Văn Tài Em (c) downward-facing red arrow 65'
RF 9 Lê Công Vinh downward-facing red arrow 85'
CF 10 Phạm Văn Quyến downward-facing red arrow 60'
LF 6 Huỳnh Quốc Anh
Reserve:
DF 5 Nguyễn Văn Biển upward-facing green arrow 65'
FW 18 Phan Thanh Bình upward-facing green arrow 85'
FW 23 Nguyễn Anh Đức upward-facing green arrow 60'
Manager:
Austria Alfred Riedl

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

[edit]

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.[37]

Trial

[edit]

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,[38][39] while the other players received only suspended sentences due to mitigating circumstances.[23]

Accused Accusations Sentences Ref
Lê Quốc Vượng
  • Organized betting
  • Betting
  • Match-fixing
  • 4 years in prison (original 6 years)
  • 5-year ban from football activities
  • 15,000,000₫ fine (577.46$)
 [38][40]
Trương Tấn Hải
  • Organized betting
  • 3 years in prison
  • 5,000,000₫ fine (192.49$)
 [41]
Phạm Văn Quyến

Lê Văn Trương

  • Betting
  • Match-fixing
  • 4-year ban from football activities
  • 2 years suspended sentence
  • 2 years of probation
  • 5,000,000₫ fine (192.49$)
 [42][43]
Trần Hải Lâm

Châu Lê Phước Vĩnh

  • 3-years ban from football activities
  • 2-years suspended sentence
  • 2 years of probation
  • 5,000,000₫ fine (192.49$)
 [44][43]
Lê Bật Hiếu

Huỳnh Quốc Anh

  • 3-year ban from football activities
  • 2-year and 6 months suspended sentence
  • 3 years of probation
  • 5,000,000₫ fine (192.49$)
 [42][44]

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.[42] 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.[39] Additionally, two other individuals, Lê Thụy Hải and Trần Hùng Cường, faced disciplinary actions due to their involvement in the situation.[37][45] All seven players were banned from playing in other countries by FIFA.[46]

References

[edit]
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  3. ^ "Vietnamese Soccer Stars Convicted of Match Fixing". Voice of America. 2009-11-01. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  4. ^ See sources:
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  7. ^ Vnexpress. "U23 Việt Nam đoạt Cup Agribank". VnExpress.
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  25. ^ PHÓNG, BÁO SÀI GÒN GIẢI (2007-01-25). ""Hành trình" đưa 7 cựu cầu thủ U23 Việt Nam đến trước vành móng ngựa". BÁO SÀI GÒN GIẢI PHÓNG (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-21.
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  31. ^ ONLINE, TUOI TRE (2005-12-13). "'Nghi án' bán độ tại SEA Games: triệu tập gần 10 người liên quan". TUOI TRE ONLINE (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  32. ^ Trí, Dân (2005-12-16). "Nghi án bán độ: Phát hiện được tình tiết quan trọng?". Báo điện tử Dân Trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  33. ^ a b Trí, Dân (2005-12-22). "Quốc Vượng chính là chủ mưu bán độ". Báo điện tử Dân Trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  34. ^ ONLINE, TUOI TRE (2005-12-21). "Tìm thấy tiền trong tủ của Quyến". TUOI TRE ONLINE (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
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  36. ^ a b "Thủ tướng Phan Văn Khải yêu cầu nhanh chóng làm rõ vụ các cầu thủ U23 bán độ". Tiếng Việt (in Vietnamese). 2005-12-20. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  37. ^ a b Trí, Dân (2007-01-27). "Đường đến địa ngục của những linh hồn bị bán rẻ". Báo điện tử Dân Trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  38. ^ a b Channelvn, Công Nghệ (2014-04-13). "Lĩnh 6 năm tù giam, Quốc Vượng đổ sụp - Xã hội - Dân trí". Dantri. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  39. ^ a b ONLINE, TUOI TRE (2008-11-21). "'Trùm độ' Lý Quốc Kỳ lĩnh 54 tháng tù giam". TUOI TRE ONLINE (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  40. ^ cand.com.vn. "Quốc Vượng rời trại giam". Báo Công an Nhân dân điện tử (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  41. ^ "Quốc Vượng 6 năm tù, Văn Quyến hưởng án treo". Báo điện tử Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  42. ^ a b c thanhnien.vn (2007-01-26). "Vụ các cầu thủ U.23 bán độ: 6 năm tù giam cho Quốc Vượng, các cầu thủ còn lại hưởng án treo". thanhnien.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  43. ^ a b PHÓNG, BÁO SÀI GÒN GIẢI (2007-09-14). "VFF treo giò Quốc Vượng 5 năm". BÁO SÀI GÒN GIẢI PHÓNG (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  44. ^ a b Online, TTVH (2014-12-26). "HỒ SƠ: Những án treo giò nổi cộm của bóng đá Việt Nam". thethaovanhoa.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  45. ^ "Updates of Football Match Fixing in Viet Nam". SGGP English Edition. 2006-02-24. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  46. ^ "Văn Quyến, Quốc Vượng bị cấm đá bóng trên toàn cầu". Báo Công an Nhân dân điện tử (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
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