First-tier football club falls into crisis as players speak out collectively

Quang Ninh Club is confronting a financial crisis, as numerous players have united to voice their concerns due to three months of owed wages.

Just over a month after the conclusion of the 2025/26 National First Division season,Quang Ninh Club unexpectedly became the center of attention due to non-professional issues. A large number of first-team players jointly submitted a petition to the club’s management, reporting that they had not been paid for three consecutive months. This development has raised concerns about the risk of repeating the painful lesson that the mining region’s football once experienced a few years ago.

According to the petition, the players and coaching staff members stated that as of now, they have not received salaries for March, April, and May as agreed in their contracts. Although they have repeatedly taken the initiative to meet with club leaders and received promises that the issue would be resolved soon, payments have still not been made. This directly affects the livelihoods of many members, as the season has ended but basic rights remain unfulfilled.

Captain Bui Van Hieu, who represented the players, shared: "Throughout the season, we have always trained hard, competed, and fulfilled our responsibilities with a professional spirit, dedicating ourselves fully to the club. We respectfully request the leadership to urgently pay all salaries for March, April, and May, and to officially announce a payment timeline so that all team members can feel at ease." On social media, he, along with vice-captain Dao Nhat Minh and many teammates, also posted information hoping to receive a prompt response from the club.

Quang Ninh Club has confirmed the salary delay situation and stated that it is actively seeking solutions to overcome financial difficulties. A club representative affirmed that they will make efforts to arrange funds to pay the players as soon as possible, while hoping to continue receiving support from sponsors to maintain operations ahead of the new season.

This news has reminded fans of the financial crisis of Than Quang Ninh in 2021. Back then, prolonged unpaid salaries and bonuses led players to repeatedly cry out for help before the traditionally strong club was forced to disband. The current Quang Ninh Club was established in 2024 and took only three seasons to achieve two consecutive promotions, earning a place in the 2025/26 National First Division under the guidance of head coach Nguyen Van Dan.

Although they achieved their relegation survival goal last season with a squad primarily composed of domestic players and without foreign reinforcements, Quang Ninh Club now faces many major challenges. If the financial issue is not resolved soon, the mining region club will struggle to retain players, renew contracts with the coaching staff, and prepare the squad for the 2026/27 season. Fans hope the club will overcome this difficult period soon to avoid repeating the tragedy that once befell Quang Ninh football.