V.League to resume next month

V.League 1-2021 will resume next month following a temporary halt since late January to protect against the complicated developments of COVID-19, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has announced.

V.League is scheduled to return from next month. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
V.League is scheduled to return from next month. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

>>> V.League 1-2021 to be suspended from Round 4 due to COVID-19

Accordingly, VFF on February 20 issued a document guiding the organisation of professional football competitions during the epidemic based on guidelines from the world football governing body FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the COVID-19 prevention and control situation in Vietnam.

The remaining matches for the third matchday of the Vietnamese top-flight football league are expected to take place on March 13 and 14, while the fourth matchday, which had been scheduled for February 5-7, is now set to take place on March 19 and 20. Subsequent rounds will then be played at a density of three to four days per match.

To ensure safety against COVID-19, football fields must be disinfected on the morning of the matchdays. Support personnel must use medical gloves and wear face masks, while referees and officials in contact with players must keep a distance of at least 1 m.

The organisers also will not allow children to be present, while VIP guests are not allowed to go onto the field, shake hands or give flowers to players. Team members are not allowed to shake hands with one another.

Players from the two teams need enter the pitch 10 minutes apart and limit communication and contact when celebrating goals. Substitutes must wear face masks.

The organisers also offer three options in terms of organising the league, including playing behind closed doors, playing with restricted fans, and allowing fans to enter the stadium normally.

Earlier, in late January, the V.League 1-2021 organising committee decided to suspend fixtures from the fourth matchday, given the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.