Than Quang Ninh players go on strike demanding payment of wages

A player told VnExpress on Wednesday: "We need money to live. For the past few months we had to depend financially on our wives. We didn't want this to happen but there is no other way."

The main squad did not take the field for training on Tuesday afternoon and sat in the stands instead.

The club only have a few young players left to prepare for their next match against Becamex Binh Duong on April 3.

Besides the salary, the players have not received any bonus for a year either.

Since the club's main sponsor backed out, they have been in a difficult financial situation. In December the Quang Ninh Province People's Committee and club owner Pham Thanh Hung agreed to provide financial support, but the situation has seen no change.

Hung said a Quang Ninh Province official has spoken to the players and promised to pay them in full.

The financial situation caused many key players and even the head coach to quit the club before the 2021 V. League season started, and many young players had to be drafted into the playing squad to fill the holes.

However, the young guns have belied all expectations, surprising everyone by beating HCMC FC, Thanh Hoa FC and Hai Phong FC to move into second position in the table with 12 points, just one behind leaders Hoang Anh Gia Lai.