HA NOI (VNS)— The Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) hopes to announce the fixtures draw for the national football leagues on December 15, and put a cap on the number of foreign players permitted for each team for the new season.

VFF Deputy Chairman Le Hung Dung said that some clubs had been dealing with financial problems and were not ready for competition.

"This is a common problem at the moment. I have asked the VFF to delay the registration deadline until the situation improves," Dung said.

Head of the organising board Tran Duy Ly also confirmed that Youth Ha Noi and Youth Khanh Hoa in the First Division, and Ha Noi FC and Navibank Sai Gon in the V-League had not completed registration procedures, so the draw would have to be put back.

According to the VFF, the deadline for registration was December 8 and the draw would take place a week later.

The VFF and clubs have also agreed to limit the number of foreigners allowed in each team due to the shortage of cash and to help the development of domestic football.

In the new season, V-League teams will be allowed to register three foreign players, and teams in the First Division will have a maximum of two.

Previously, V-League teams could register four and use three while First Division clubs could register three and use two.

All the clubs voted for the new regulation apart from two-time V-League champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai. — VNS