Manchester City officials tie up next month’s friendly with Vietnam
Manchester City executives have wrapped up a three-day visit to Hanoi to arrange a friendly match the English club will play against Vietnam at the end of July.
Though no contract has been signed yet, Manchester City representatives and Vietnamese agencies have “almost agreed” to play the match, Saigon-Hanoi Bank (SHB), the organizer and sponsor of the match, said in a release.
“At a meeting between representatives of Manchester City, the Vietnam Football Federation, and SHB, we have reached agreement on basic terms,” Dao Manh Hung of SHB said.
“However, relevant sides need to discuss more about other technical terms before signing the contract soon.”
Manchester City’s legal counsel, Bethan Power, and head of tours and friendlies, Lucia Sanchez, have surveyed and highly rated Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium and its facilities, according to SHB.
Manchester City representatives have agreed on the security plans for the 65-member visiting team, which will involve more than 1,200 police and security officers.
They also approved the events lined for before, during and after the match in which the Manchester City players and local fans will take part.
Hung said the Manchester City officials praised the organizing of international friendlies in Vietnam, including one against English club Arsenal in July 2013.
Do Quang Hien, chairman of SHB, said he met with Francisco Lopez, business director of City Football Group, a member of the Abu Dhabi United Group that owns Manchester City.
“Francisco Lopez has agreed to our proposals to establish a Manchester City football academy in Vietnam and tie up with Hanoi T&T and SHB Da Nang for personnel, coaching and player training.”