Thanh Hoa FC’s coach, Velizar Popov, has publicly voiced his frustration with the Vietnam Professional Football (VPF) management over their handling of the V League 1 schedule. In a recent Facebook post, Popov expressed his concerns regarding what he views as a biased and poorly organized match calendar, which he claims fails to adhere to international football standards.
In his lengthy post, Popov pointed out that in most professional leagues around the world, the organizing body ensures the league schedule aligns with FIFA dates and accommodates clubs participating in international competitions. He criticized VPF’s decision to move Thanh Hoa’s match to October 4th, while other teams competing in international tournaments continue with their scheduled games on October 19th. Popov believes that all teams should face the same scheduling changes if one match is rescheduled due to conflicts with international tournaments.
Popov raised several key questions, demanding answers from VPF. He asked why Thanh Hoa’s match was moved earlier, while other teams had the benefit of resting until October 19th. He also questioned why midweek cup matches couldn’t be scheduled, which is a common practice worldwide. According to Popov, VPF’s decision has created an unfair advantage for some teams while putting others, like Thanh Hoa, at a significant disadvantage.
“Why are only a few select teams given privileges, while others like us, who have played the most games and made the longest trips, are penalized?” Popov wrote. He emphasized the need for fairness and equal conditions for all teams, expressing frustration that VPF’s actions seem to favor certain clubs over others.
The coach went on to criticize VPF for what he sees as their lack of professionalism, highlighting the struggles of Vietnamese football at both club and national levels. Popov argued that poor management and inconsistent decision-making from VPF have led to a decline in Vietnamese football, with neighboring countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia surpassing Vietnam in recent years. He noted that Vietnam’s national teams at various age levels have failed, not because of the players or coaches, but due to the lack of proper organizational support.
Popov, who has led Thanh Hoa FC to three trophies in the last two years, expressed disappointment with how the club has been treated, claiming VPF’s actions appear to undermine his team’s success. “I don’t want help; I just want justice, fair play, and 50:50 equality, nothing more,” he wrote.
The post concluded with Popov calling on the media to investigate the situation and seek truth and justice. He challenged the press to avoid taking his words out of context and fabricating stories, expressing skepticism over how many independent media outlets would dare to publish his criticism of VPF.
This public outburst from Popov has sparked significant attention in the Vietnamese football community, as fans and pundits await a response from VPF regarding the coach’s serious allegations. It remains to be seen how the football governing body will address these concerns and whether any changes will be made to ensure fair play and equality in the V League.
Leave a Reply