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Tag: S League

  • Balestier Khalsa Suspends Winger Zulkiffli Hassim For Allegedly Racially Abusing Referee

    Balestier Khalsa Suspends Winger Zulkiffli Hassim For Allegedly Racially Abusing Referee

    Balestier Khalsa winger Zulkiffli Hassim will not turn out for his club any more in the 2016 season.

    The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Disciplinary Committee (DC) has found him guilty of making derogatory racial remarks.

    The incident occurred in Balestier’s 2-1 loss to Geylang International in a Great Eastern-Yeo’s S.League match on Aug 25, with the 30-year-old allegedly making remarks of a racial nature against assistant referee Y Sathyakumar in the 90th minute.

    This is not the first incident Zulkiffli has been mired in that saw racial undertones. He was hauled up for a similar incident four years ago.

    In April 2012, the DC threw the book at Zulkiffli, after he pleaded guilty to charges of making racial remarks against Woodlands Wellington’s Trinidadian defender Fabian Lewis.

    He was banned for five games and received a suspended fine of $1,000.

    This time around, he could see graver punishment.

    Balestier, of their own accord, have suspended him without pay from Sept 8, and will hold a hearing of their own tomorrow.

    Zulkiffli has not turned out for Balestier since Aug 25, missing one game – last week’s 1-1 draw with Warriors FC – and will play no part in the Tigers’ last four league games of the season.

    He will also sit out Balestier’s play-off for third place in the RHB Singapore Cup on Oct 29.

    “Racial abuse has no place in the S.League and in Singapore, and for a club this is an extremely serious issue that is not to be treated lightly,” said Balestier chairman S Thavaneson.

    “We don’t want to pre-judge him, but we decided to suspend him pending his DC hearing, and in that letter to him told him that the club reserve the right to take (further) disciplinary action against him.

    “The first time (Zulkiffli was found guilty for a similar offence) we were sympathetic but firm, and told him that the club would not tolerate any form of racial abuse, against a player, official or fan. He agreed and realised the seriousness of his undertaking.”

    Balestier stood by their man in 2012, pointing to the fact that this was the first instance of such an offence, and while it would not be tolerated, was an isolated incident that happened in the heat of the moment in a match.

    But, with the club hauling him up for a hearing of their own this time, the signs are not good for Zulkiffli.

    “We want to follow due process, but the message must be clear and it must go down not just to players of Balestier, but to everyone,” said Thavaneson.

    “Racial abuse can lead to uglier things, and there is no place for it here.”

    A contrite Zulkiffli told The New Paper that he has missed being involved with his team.

    “I regret what I did, it was in the heat of the moment, and I couldn’t control my anger then,” he said, revealing that he has been going for runs, and playing social football on weekends to stay in shape.

    “I have to apologise to the club and my team. We don’t have a very big squad, and with some of the players out injured, I really feel guilty that I cannot help them out on the pitch.”

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Time’s Up For Jalan Besar’s King George’s Stand

    Time’s Up For Jalan Besar’s King George’s Stand

    After scoring the LionsXII’s first-ever goal in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) in 2012 against Kelantan, defender Baihakki Khaizan hurdled over the advertising boards and celebrated with the home fans in a packed King George’s Stand behind the goal atthe Jalan Besar Stadium.

    It was a memorable moment cherished by the Singapore international and everyone in the local football fraternity.

    Football celebrations in the King George’s Stand will be no more, though, after the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed yesterday that the 1,500-capacity facility, which had cost sponsors Kingsmen more than $250,000 to build, will be dismantled in November.

    This will reduce the stadium’s capacity from 8,000 to 6,500.

    Speaking to The New Paper yesterday, FAS deputy director of development and planning Benjamin Tan said: “We appreciate the understanding and approvals of the relevant authorities in granting extensions for the continued use of the King George’s Stand at Jalan Besar Stadium over the past three years.

    “We are also thankful to our partners, including Kingsmen and Sport Singapore, for their support towards our continuous efforts in bringing more fans together.

    INCREASE

    “With an approximate capacity of 1,500, the King George’s Stand enabled us to increase the seating capacity of the stadium, which in turn allowed more fans to turn up and support our teams in action over the past few years.

    “The final extension for the use of the temporary seating structures expired on Aug 29, and the dismantling and reinstatement works will commence in November.

    “We will continue to work with our stakeholders and partners and explore various ways of enhancing match-day and viewing experience for our fans.”

    The last time the King George’s Stand was used in an MSL match was on Aug 8 against Pahang, when the LionsXII won 4-2.

    It has since been sealed off for the last few home games.

    While it has seen better days, such as capacity crowds in 2012 and 2013 when the LionsXII finished MSL runners-up and champions, respectively, attendances at the Jalan Besar Stadium have declined in recent years, with an average of 5,000.

    Even though the grandstand and gallery would be packed for certain games, the King George’s Stand was regularly a huge swathe of emptiness, although it did enjoy a turnaround during the SEA Games football tournament held here in June.

    While a Sport Singapore spokesman said that it is open to similar arrangements in the future, there are no current plans to further increase the capacity at Jalan Besar Stadium.

    “The final extension for the use of the temporary seating structures expired on Aug 29, and the dismantling and reinstatement works will commence in November.”

    – FAS deputy director of development and planning Benjamin Tan

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Regrettably I Don’t Give A Damn What Happened Across The Bridge With Lions XII

    Regrettably I Don’t Give A Damn What Happened Across The Bridge With Lions XII

    Well, to be honest here. It took a while before I settled down to drop a line here to share what are my thoughts that took place in the scene for the past few days.

    Nope, I did not tune to the channel to watch that match that day when most of those I met were talking about either online or during those breaks at work. Frankly speaking, I can’t be bother either (although appreciation must be shown and due credit should be given to those who deserved).

    What I knew what would happen next would be something I been expecting all along – the further diversion that caused the split in the local football fraternity that would take a lengthy period to patch it up.

    Someone familiar?

    Ever since the decision was made to send Lions XII to take part in the Malaysian League back in 2012, the reactions have been mixed.

    One side claimed the move was essential to revitalize the local game out of the doldrums with another criticized the plan a step backward and do no favour to help the struggling S.League to be back on its feet.

    Years down the road, we seen the Lions XII did decently well since making their foray into the competition across the Causeway with a MSL title win in 2013 and the Malaysia FA Cup last weekend.

    But has the “spill over effect” which they hoping for all these years shown up in the S.League?

    Only when I have those around me casually chat over the topics like why Warriors fared so badly in the AFC Cup, if Sundram can work his magic to bring Tampines Rovers back to the top or whether Geylang International are able recapture their glory days like they did in the semi-pro Premier League days then I can be assured the “spill over” has taken place, but it is never the case at all.

    MP Zainudin is serving out his term as FAS president

    Rather it has been a butt of joke with many ridiculous occurrences that took place in recent months that were well documented.

    With the outgoing FAS (Football Association of Singapore) president Zainudin Nordin pushing his Asean Super League (ASL) aggressively in the name to uplift the game’s standard in this region, many skeptics fear that could spell doomsday of Singapore’s only professional sporting league.

    Furthermore, the elected Member of Parliament’s antics at Bukit Jalil after the Lions XII’s 3-1 win over Kelantan to claim the trophy, that is third in the pecking order in Malaysian football, may not be gone down too well with those who still pin a fast fading hope to see the league that once drawn 30,000 to Kallang for a showdown between Fandi Ahmad and V Sundramoorthy in 1996.

    And put it bluntly, NOBODY CAN IMPOSE ON OTHERS BY ENFORCING THAT IDEOLOGY – THIS IS OUR TEAM, JUST BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY ARE.

     

    Source: www.bolasepako.com

  • Irfan Fandi Makes S League Debut At 17 Years Old

    Irfan Fandi Makes S League Debut At 17 Years Old

    Just hours after signing for the Courts Young Lions, Irfan Fandi made his S.League debut as his team took on Tampines Rovers on Thursday night.

    The eldest son of Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad, who turns 18 later this year, will link up with what is essentially the national Under-23 side until 30 June in order to be part of their preparations for the upcoming SEA Games.

    Irfan, who stands at a strapping 1.86 metres despite his age, was deployed in a centre-back role instead of his usual position as a striker at Jurong West Stadium.

    The teenager acquitted himself well enough at the back with a few no-nonsense clearances, while weighing in with one or two solid tackles. He was also involved in some robust challenges and the number 23’s night ended when he was taken off after 62 minutes in a 1-0 loss.

    It was not Irfan’s first time playing as a defender, having been deployed in the position the Singapore U22s’ recent 3-0 loss to Cambodia’s senior side in a friendly a week ago.

    Irfan, who is on the books of Chilean top-flight side Universidad Catolica, noted that the style of play was different from what he had experienced in South America.

    “I think it was a very good experience for me because the way they play here is different,” he said. “It’s more physical, so I am going have to get used to that and just give my best every time I play.
    “I thought we played really well and I think everyone gave their best; we were just unlucky [to lose].”

    Coach Aide Iskandar explained after the game that Irfan was used as a makeshift defender as captain
    Shakir Hamzah was ruled out due to injury and he was satisfied with his display.

    “I think he did well and now he gives me good options [as] he can play [both] upfront and at the back,” the former national captain said.

    Irfan is likely to see action in his usual striker role as the season goes on, having already proven himself as a threat after scoring a goal each in his last two games for the U23s in their friendly defeats to Japan U22s and Syria U23s last month.

    Touted as one of local football’s brightest prospects and tipped to emulate his father, Irfan will be vying for a spot in the U23s team that will be gunning for a first-ever gold medal in football when the Games come around in June.

     

    Source: https://sg.sports.yahoo.com

  • FAS Inks $25 Million Sponsorship Deal With International Media Rights Company

    FAS Inks $25 Million Sponsorship Deal With International Media Rights Company

    The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has inked a deal worth over $25 million with international media rights company MP & Silva.

    The six-year deal, announced on Monday (Feb 2), will see the international firm manage media and sponsorship rights, as well as international events for the Singapore national team and the age-group teams. The company is headquartered in London and Singapore, and has 18 offices worldwide.

    This is FAS’s biggest commercial partnership, surpassing the S$15 million deal signed with Tiger Beer in 2001. It is also the first time FAS is selling the commercial rights for its senior and age-group national teams. And while some fans may be concerned that this could drive up costs of watching the Lions in action, FAS says it is focused on delivering more value.

    Said FAS President Zainudin Nordin: “When you look at the way we’ve partnered MP & Silva, we want to ensure there are more things that we could do and offer to the fans. So let us see how we’re able to do this in a much more engaging way.”

    MP & Silva will also look to maximise the commercial value of the Singapore national team and generate more interest among football fans. One way they aim to do this is by organising four to six matches a year in Singapore, pitting the national side against high-profile international teams.

    The partnership will also pave the way for Singaporean players, including those in the National Football Academy (NFA) to have more opportunities for stints overseas, via MP & Silva’s network.

    The company’s portfolio includes working with the likes of FIFA, UEFA, the Olympic Council of Asia and a host of European leagues including the Barclays Premier League, Italian Serie A and La Liga. MP & Silva was also recently appointed global advisor for media and commercial rights for the Football Association of Malaysia.

    “They are the company behind the Belgian League, so you can see the immediate connectivity, because they’re talking about tje opportunity to expose our S.League players and our young players in the NFA to the opportunity for stints in Europe,” said Mr Zainudin. “You will see this happening more and more.”

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com