Vietnam

Vietnam coach Nguyen Huu Thang denies police probe rumors

Former Vietnam U-22 coach Nguyen Huu Thang has denied speculation that the was summoned by Vietnam police for the allegations of match fixing related to him and his squad at this year’s SEA Games.

“It’s actually funny to hear about that,” Thang told local reporters after arriving in Vietnam from Malaysia on Saturday evening, as quoted by Thanh Nien Newspaper.

“I confirm those rumors, which said that I was ordered by the police for questioning about the match fixing allegations, are not true,” the former Song Lam Nghe An told reporters.

“I don’t feel sad or offended at all. The supporters put their trusts in our team, so they can criticize us with every harsh word they can think of when we couldn’t meet their expectation.

“The players are sad, of course. But I urged them to overcome the difficulties and be ready for the harshness that this job brings in. I hope this defeat will unite them and make them grow stronger in the future,” the former Vietnam international said.

In the past, Nguyen Huu Thang was once arrested for giving bribes when he served as the head coach of V-League side Song Lam Nghe An in 2006. He was accused of using money to influence some matches in the V-League in the 2000-2001 season.

The 45-year-old was released in the following year.