Most players are in the main squad.

The 2021 V. League was canceled after 12 rounds due to Covid-19. On Feb. 16 this year, the club announced they would pay incentives for the first leg of the season, but since the second leg was canceled, the incentives would be cut by 90 percent. This means the players will only get 60 percent of their incentives for 2021.

Disagreeing with this decision, the players said that during the break, they still went to training as usual.

They are considering hiring a lawyer to settle this case.

For nearly two months, the club and players still couldn't find common ground on this matter. Although still playing in the 2022 V. League, before the National Cup match with Saigon FC on April 10, the players of HCMC decided not to go to training.

If this group of players refuse to play, coach Tran Minh Chien would only have 17 players, including just one goalkeeper for the next games.

"We will have lawyers work with the players on this matter. Those who skip training are violating the rules of the club. If you miss the game, you will be fined and even have your contract terminated," an official of HCMC FC said.

An incentive is a payment made to a player or their agent, when they agree to sign a contract with the club. Unlike the rest of the world, in Vietnam, sometimes this is the main income of a player, not the salary.

HCMC was one of the clubs that bought the most players for their ambition to win the 2021 V. League. However, under the guidance of Brazilian coach Mano Polking at that time, they struggled. Before the league was canceled, HCMC even faced the risk of relegation.

Source: VNE