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Tag: FAS

  • Singapore Teen Ben Davis Chasing EPL Dream Hopeful Of NS Deferment

    Singapore Teen Ben Davis Chasing EPL Dream Hopeful Of NS Deferment

    Davis has been made rapid progress since signing with second-tier Fulham on a two-year scholarship in July, getting involved in a few pre-season friendlies for their academy and scoring two goals in the process.

    Fulham’s academy is rated as one of the 24 Category One academies in England and compete in the Premier League Under-18 South League along with other London clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

    While it may be exciting times for Davis, a shadow looms large over his development as he is expected to serve National Service (NS) for two years between the age of 18 to 21.

    The midfielder flew back to Singapore specially to undergo his pre-NS enlistment medical check-up on Monday afternoon before returning to England on the same night.

    With that process completed, Davis will be now able to apply for NS deferment.

    FourFourTwo understands that the Football Association of Singapore will render help for his application, where it will be assessed by Sport Singapore (SportSG) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) before reaching the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

    It looks like a long road ahead as no Singapore footballer has ever been able to defer NS, however talented they might be.

    Nonetheless Davis’ father, Harvey Davis hopes that a precedent can be set for his talented son so that his career does not get disrupted at this crucial juncture.

    “Ben’s now at the stage and level where he can go on to achieve his dream, hopefully the authorities can set in place some procedure or criteria for football or team (for NS deferment),” said Harvey, who is the managing director for JSSL Singapore.

    “I hope that Ben’s case will be the right case to push it forward. We’re keeping our hopes up and are remaining positive for Ben’s application, because we have faith that the system will eventually come through for our talented sportsmen and women.”

    As for Davis himself, he is trying to put all those distractions and uncertainties aside as he focuses his effort on flying the Singapore flag high in England.

    “It was difficult at the start for me, but I got used to it and improved a lot in a short time,” said the 16-year-old, who turns 17 in November. “It’s quite different how they use physicality to win the ball and that takes some getting used to. I’m spending more time at the gym to build muscles.

    “The training’s much more intense in Fulham as compared to Singapore (in the Sports School). I want to improve further, maybe by shooting more, scoring more goals and taking more risks.

    “No one looks down on me just because I’m Singaporean, but I’m really motivated to be better than the people in my age group because I know they won’t slow down. The goal for me now is to earn a pro contract for next season.

    “In five years’ time, I hope to be representing Singapore and playing in one of the English Championship clubs, or in the Under-23 teams of the Premier League clubs.”

     

     

    Source: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/

  • FAS Condemns Racist Abuse On Local Referee Sukhbir Singh After Inter-Chelsea Match

    FAS Condemns Racist Abuse On Local Referee Sukhbir Singh After Inter-Chelsea Match

    The Football Association of Singapore has condemned the online racial abuse targeted at local referee Sukhbir Singh.

    The comments came after Sukhbir had made some controversial decisions while officiating last Saturday’s International Champions Cup match at the National Stadium, where Inter Milan beat Chelsea 2-1.

    FAS vice-president Edwin Tong told The New Paper yesterday: “The FAS does not condone any form of racial abuse towards our referees, players, coaches or officials.

    “This is especially unfair for our volunteers such as referees, who sacrifice a lot of their personal time to help with officiating our matches.”

    Sukhbir had awarded a contentious penalty to Inter in first-half added time after he adjudged Cesar Azpilicueta had fouled Stevan Jovetic in the box.

    The Inter man dusted himself and scored from the rebound after Thibaut Courtois saved his spot-kick.

    In the second half, with Inter leading 2-1, Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi had a goal chalked off for offside.

    During and after the game, there were several racist remarks directed at Sukhbir on Twitter.

    Fifa match agent Baljit Rihal tagged Britain’s anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, who confirmed it has “received the information regarding discriminatory comments” which have been passed on to its reporting officer.

    Kick It Out added that it could not make further comment on any potential consequences or repercussions as the incident is under investigation.

    Elsewhere, American baseball team Boston Red Sox permanently banned a fan who had allegedly used racial slur at Fenway Park in May.

    Tong also told TNP that the FAS would consider making a police report if the complaints of racial abuse are valid.

    “Any such abuse must be fully investigated and appropriate action must be taken against the abusers,” he said.

    “We urge our football fans and supporters to be restrained in their criticism of our officials.

    “While they are entitled to criticise performances, they should not go overboard and bring in sensitive matters such as race or religion.”

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Tampines Rovers Chairman Krishna Ramachandra Resigns

    Tampines Rovers Chairman Krishna Ramachandra Resigns

    He took the S.League by storm. Within months of helming Tampines Rovers, chairman Krishna Ramachandra put the S.League on the world map.

    Internationally recognised names Jermaine Pennant, Gerard Houllier and even Ronaldinho were associated with the five-time league champions.

    But it has not been plain sailing for the 45-year-old corporate lawyer, who is relinquishing his post as Tampines chairman after less than two years in the job.

    The New Paper understands that Krishna has recommended a successor, who will need to be approved by the authorities.

    Said Krishna in a statement: “I intend to step down as chairman of TRFC in the coming weeks… after TRFC’s 2016 accounts have been audited and finalised. I will be dealing with all outstanding queries relating to TRFC’s statement of accounts before stepping down.

    “The high demands of my professional career have overtaken my ability to keep volunteering at the level of intensity that is needed to fulfil the role of chairman of TRFC,” added Krishna, who said he will remain as a committee member to assist in the transition phase.

    Financial issues also cropped up at the club. These include late payment of salaries to Stags staff, which raised the attention of the Central Provident Fund Board.

    Despite the woes, Krishna said he has derived joy from his involvement with the club.

    “It has been an honour and privilege to serve this wonderful club. I have enjoyed many memorable moments with the fans, players, coaches and staff – all of whom have been just an absolute joy to work with,” he said.

    “I have absolutely no regrets on the footballing experience I have had in the last six over years and I will certainly continue to support Singapore football.”

    Krishna is hopeful of a better future for S.League clubs, though.

    “Hopefully, in the near future, S.League clubs will be allowed the option to be privatised, and those that can, may possibly install a viable model,” he said.

    “This will take time but more importantly will need the support of all stakeholders.”

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • No Refunds Despite Messi, Higuain Withdrawals From Singapore-Argentina Game

    No Refunds Despite Messi, Higuain Withdrawals From Singapore-Argentina Game

    Football fans who bought tickets to watch Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain in action against Singapore on Tuesday night (June 13) will not be able to seek refunds now that the two football stars have withdrawn from the international friendly.

    In response to queries from TODAY, match promoters UNICESS Sports Group said that no refunds or forms of compensation will be provided, even though Messi and Higuain were the players that were heavily promoted as the star attractions of the game, which is selling tickets at S$40, S$78, S$138, S$188.

    UNICESS said that while the selection of the Argentina squad was out of its control, the Asia-based sports match tour promoter believes that “football fans will understand” because the world No 2-ranked side that will face the Lions at the National Stadium will still feature several other top stars.

    “While UNICESS and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) share the disappointment of football fans at the absence of these players, there is not a requirement to refund tickets,” the company said.

    “Argentina have selected a…squad that continues to feature world-class players such as Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala and Sergio Romero and we look forward to what will still be a highly entertaining match.

    “We have no control over the squad that is brought to represent Argentina. This is the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) role and the players that actually play in game is made official by the head coach only just before the game. We believe football fans will understand.”

    UNICESS also pinned the blame on the AFA, saying that it only confirmed the withdrawals of Messi, Higuain and Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi on Saturday evening (June 10), and added that it was the AFA who provided UNICESS with the images and videos of Messi to be used for marketing purposes.

    However, Argentina newspaper Clarin first broke the news last Thursday (June 8) that Messi and Otamendi would be leaving the Argentina squad after the team’s international friendly against Brazil in Melbourne on Friday (June 9).

    Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli then also said at a press conference in Melbourne last Thursday that “it was already planned” that Messi and Otamendi would leave after the Brazil game.

    While Messi did arrive in Singapore with the Argentina squad on Saturday, and took the team bus to the Fullerton Hotel, the Barcelona striker returned to Changi Airport a few hours later to take a flight out of the country.

    Significantly, after promoting the match together for the past few weeks, UNICESS issued the media statement on the players’ withdrawals at around 11pm on Saturday night alone, without the FAS.

    In response to queries from TODAY, the FAS, the official sanctioning body of the game, said it had discussed the issue of refunds with UNICESS in the wake of the player withdrawals. However, it said that the decision on whether to provide refunds would be taken solely by UNICESS.

    “As they are the match promoter, (the) commercial decisions are made by them,” an FAS spokesman said.

    “That said, we do understand the fans’ frustrations and the difficult situation UNICESS has been put in by the late withdrawals. It is not easy for them to find a satisfactory outcome as such matches are extremely expensive to put together.

    “When they (UNICESS) started promoting the match weeks ago, they sincerely believed that the players would be participating in the match.

    “Nonetheless, we hope that football fans are still excited to see one of the best teams in the world take on our boys in what is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

    Local football fan Nathaniel Lee, 35, however told TODAY that while he understood UNICESS may not be blamed for the withdrawal, he had hoped they would have at least provided some form of compensation for the fans.

    Said the operations manager: “It would have been nice if they could provide some form of compensation. After all, we were promised something and they ultimately did not deliver on their promise.

    “While I can empathise with them (UNICESS), they should also spare a thought for the fans who bought tickets thinking they were going to watch Messi, Higuain and even (Sergio) Aguero, who was in the promotional poster as well.”

    But some others were less forgiving on UNICESS’ Facebook page.

    Facebook user Mushroomhead Illo wrote: “Dear Unicess Sports Group, Messi has already left our little red dot.

    “Please offer no more excuses, take responsibility and do the honourable thing of giving the fans, who have put their trust in you and bought the tickets according to what you’ve advertised, their full refund. Thank you.”

    Aloysius Lin added: “Thought I can witness one of the greatest players in action, but turns out is the greatest con job in action.”

    Jas Singh wrote on TODAY Sports’ Facebook page: “This is a good wake-up call to never buy into the hype from end-of-season tours.”

    UNICESS told TODAY that over 20,000 tickets to the match has been sold so far, and that it remains confident that ticket sales will continue to increase over the next two days. The National Stadium’s capacity is 55,000.

    Said UNICESS: “Ticket sales have remained buoyant, and we expect ticket sales to steadily increase over the next two days.

    “We are confident that football fans in Singapore will still want to come and support the Lions as they go up against a truly world-class team in Argentina.”

     

    Source: http://www.todayonline.com

  • Wedding Bells Robbed Local Football Fans Opportunity For Messi Appearance In Singapore

    Wedding Bells Robbed Local Football Fans Opportunity For Messi Appearance In Singapore

    Local football fans fume as reports claim Argentina captain and Otamendi will miss Singapore game.

    Instead of wowing the National Stadium next Tuesday with his intricate touches, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is likely to be back in his home country, dealing with the intricacies of wedding planning.

    Yesterday, reports surfacing from Argentina and Australia, where Argentina play Brazil in a friendly tonight, stated that the Barcelona playmaker and Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi will miss the friendly match against Singapore next week.

    According to the reports, they are allowed to fly home to plan for their respective weddings.

    “Otamendi and Messi are allowed to travel (home) after the game because the two of them are getting married,” Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said in yesterday’s pre-match press conference.

    Separately, The Clarin, Argentina’s biggest daily newspaper, reported yesterday that Messi’s absence in Singapore was “an open secret”, and that he wanted to be with his loved ones as he finalises preparations for his June 30 wedding to Antonella Roccuzzo, the mother of his two sons Thiago and Mateo.

    Also, Otamendi is set to get married on June 16, and thus is given permission to miss the Singapore tie.

    In a joint statement yesterday, the Football Association of Singapore and match promoter Unicess said they were aware of the reports concerning the Argentine duo’s impending plans.

    The statement read: “We are currently working with the Argentinian FA to determine the authenticity of the claims made in these reports and will provide an update as soon as we are able to.”

    Local fans reacted with disappointment at the news yesterday, with some asking if the organisers would consider refunds.

    Tickets for the Singapore-Argentina match cost between $40 and $188, with some sections of the 55,000-seater National Stadium already sold out.

    Netizen Clemence Chia said: “I hope organisers would be gentlemanly enough to allow refunds for those who bought tickets because of Messi.”

    Thomas Hoon added: “I kind of expected it as these trips are generally for second-string players trying to prove themselves.

    “I am sure this was known to the organisers beforehand; Messi just woke up in the morning and say ‘I (am) getting married?’”

     

    Source: http://www.tnp.sg/