Vietnamese losing more than their bets
HANOI - Soccer and gambling-mad Vietnamese hooked on Euro 2000 have lost more
than bets when their favourite teams fail to deliver.
Millions in the communist country have watched every game avidly, many at
pavement cafes, despite unsociable kickoff times as late as 1.45 a.m. local.
In a cautionary note, the official media have reminded fans of one unfortunate
supporter who had his prized television set stolen when he fell asleep by the
roadside after a late game.
And in Ho Chi Minh City in the south of the country, police confiscated 93
motorcycles and detained dozens of riders last weekend when rowdy fans went
racing around town in the small hours.
Football-related violence has become common in Vietnam in the past few years
both on an off the pitch.
A few months ago, Vietnam Television viewers saw fans enraged at a decision
chasing a referee off the pitch during a local game.
In late May, a court in Ho Chi Minh City jailed two traffic policemen who beat a
man to death while assigned to keep order after an international with Indonesia.
Authorities associate football with numerous social ills, not least gambling, which
is virtually a national pastime even though it is illegal.
Local media reports said many football fans in Ho Chi Minh City have skirted
this inconvenience during Euro 2000 by placing bets via the Internet.
Betting has been popular even among students with little money to lose. They
have instead wagered a cup of breakfast coffee or a bowl of noodles, media
reports said.
A lucky few could win a lot, however. Coca-Cola Vietnam is offering three
footballs each made with a kg (2.2 lb) of gold to winners of a Euro 2000
promotional contest and is expecting around 150,000 entries.
"We've had literally sacks and sacks so far," said external affairs manager Robin
Wilson. "It really shows the mood of enthusiasm for Euro 2000."
Reuters - June 15, 2000.
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