All of the parties involved in the TV rights war between VPF and AVG have failed to place the audience’s interest as top priority, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee told Tuoi Tre.

Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City's People's Committee Le Manh Ha, who claims he is also a football fan, Photo: Tuoi Tre

Ha said the TV rights war would not have been a debatable topic if the relevant parties had met with each other to reach a consensus.

“If they had all focused on the same target -- to serve the audience, there would not have been any war,” he said.

“Now that everything has become far more complicated, it is not easy for them to sit down for adiscussion.”

The deputy chairman also answered some question related to the telecast war.

* In your opinion, what is the root of the TV rights war that has long been heating up debates in the football industry?

The root of the story is that every party has been trying to prove that they are right, and better than the other, which is truly a regrettable fact.

Personally, I have been wondering if the war insiders have prioritized the interests of the audience in their argument over the telecast deal. Did VFF think of the football fans when it closed the contract with AVG?

I think if VFF really cared for the audience, it would not have inked a contract for an unusually long 20-year term, and they would have auctioned the TV rights, rather than directly choosing AVG.

For its part, when VPF initiated the TV rights issue, it also failed to prioritize the public interest.

* Does it mean that in your view, the TV rights war is not intended to better serve the football audience?

Football, after all, is intended to serve the public. When football can meet audience expectations, the number of fans will increase, which will understandably result in higher incomes from TV rights and advertisements for those working in the industry.

It means that while the audience is the root of the issue, those involved in the battle have begun from the opposite end: TV rights.

* Are you fed up with the coverage concerning the TV rights war, which is found in almost every sports newspaper, over the past few months?

I think the more debate, the better. But any discussion should reach a final agreement, and the government management should play a key role in making the final decision. The current case proves that the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has failed to handle the case efficiently.

While the final conclusion of the inspection into the telecast deal conducted by the ministry can put an end to the long debate partially, it does not bring us the most important thing: how can football fans benefit from this conclusion?

Authorities are to serve the public. So, if the inspection result simply concludes which party is right or wrong in terms of legal validity, I think it is not enough.

To me, there are several loose and unconvincing arguments in the ministry’s conclusion.

* Do you think that the establishment of VPF is a positive sign?

Every new thing becomes a positive sign. However, VPF should prove this by better organizing the football leagues to serve fans, rather than only focusing on the TV rights.

* Finally, how would you conclude this TV battle?

No party involved in the war, even the management authorities, has been for the sake of the public.

Source: Tuoi Tre