Vietnamese player charged with SEA Games match fixing

HANOI, Aug 25 (Reuters) Vietnamese police have charged a former national team soccer player with match fixing at last year's Southeast Asian Games, state media said.

Truong Tan Hai is accused of paying seven players 500 million dong (31,230 dollar) to ensure Vietnam beat Myanmar 1-0 in a SEA Games group match, the Thanh Nien newspaper reported.

The players told Hai to use their money to place bets with another underground gambling ring to double their winnings, the daily said.

The narrow 1-0 scoreline against minnows Myanmar attracted favourable odds given Vietnam's impressive form going into the tournament, which was held in Manila.

The Vietnamese Football Federation could not confirm the charge when contacted today.

Hai is now facing two charges of match-fixing after he was arrested in March for accepting bribes during the 2000-2001 V-League title, won by Song Lam-Nghe An.

He is accused of accepting 300 million dong (18,700 dollar) from a former Song Lam player to throw a crucial end of season game.

Seven others who played that day are under house arrest awaiting trial.

Vietnam's most popular sport has been plagued by countless match-fixing scandals, with two other Vietnamese players charged with taking bribes to change the outcome of at least two of last year's SEA Games matches.

Vietnam launched its ''clean hands'' campaign in September last year, which led to the prosecution of more than 30 players and referees.

The Communist country is co-hosting next year's Asian Cup together with Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

REUTERS PDS PM1245