6 Vietnamese footballers banned over match fixing allegation

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to ban six Vietnamese players from playing continental matches, following a suspension from domestic football the local federation imposed on them in July this year for allegedly fixing a league game in return for over $15,000.

The chairman of the AFC Disciplinary Committee Thursday extended the ban on the six players from Dong Nai FC from domestic competition to the Asian level, local Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper quoted the confederation as saying on its website, reports Xinhua.

The move was initiated "following a request from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) pursuant to Article 136 of the AFC Disciplinary Code," AFC noted, adding that each extension decision shall expire Jan 23, 2015 or the issuing of a final decision by the VFF Disciplinary Committee, whichever is sooner.

The decisions have been duly notified to the VFF, the confederation said.

VFF's disciplinary committee July 23 temporarily suspended six players from partaking in any domestic football-related activity in the wake of police investigations into their purported match rigging.

They were accused of rigging the match July 20 in the 21th round of the top-flight V-League.

Of whom, Pham Huu Phat, the team captain, received 325 million VND ($15,300) from the bookmaker after reaching a consensus in order to share with the others, according to police.