The Viet Nam Football Federation on Wednesday said it had banned Nguyen Thanh Trung for five years for attempted match fixing.

Trung who is a member of Military Zone 9 Sport Centre based in Can Tho City asked two Dong Tam Long An players to fix the result of their First Division match against Fico Tay Ninh on May 17, the federation said.

Trung is not allowed to take part in any football activities organised by the federation.

Trung denied the claim, saying it was a joke. He has seven days to appeal.-VNS