FAS lifts lifetime bans on four ex-footballers involved in match-fixing
Bans were imposed on the four men between 1995 and 1998 by the FAS Disciplinary Committee, an independent panel.
FILE PHOTO: The Football Association of Singapore logo is seen on a stand at the Singapore Sports Hub. (Photo: Facebook/Football Association of Singapore)
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SINGAPORE: Four former footballers involved in match-fixing have had their lifetime bans lifted, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said on Thursday (Dec 21).
In a press release, FAS said Manap Hamat, Mizan Ulot, Abdul Malek Mohammad and Zulkifli Kartoyoho had lodged appeals over their bans, which were imposed between 1995 and 1998 by the FAS Disciplinary Committee.
Mizan was found guilty of fixing two local club matches in 1995 while Manap and Abdul Malek were convicted of fixing games between Balestier Central FC and Tampines Rovers FC in 1997. All three were jailed and fined.
According to media reports, Mizan pleaded guilty to two charges: Accepting a bookie's offer to ensure his club Changi United would lose to Tiong Bahru Football Club by two goals; and taking money from the same bookie to draw a game between two different teams, one of whom he played for.
Manap, a defender and Abdul Malek, a goalkeeper, pleaded guilty to two charges, both of which involved conspiring with bookie Wilson Raj Perumal to fix matches. Wilson Raj had approached Manap before the start of the season to do so, and he roped in Abdul Malek.
Wilson Raj told the duo, who had both played for Singapore, to make sure Balestier beat Tampines on two occasions.
Zulkifli, also a former Singapore international, was not convicted, but was handed a life ban for conspiring with Manap and Malek.
In assessing the appeals, the FAS council had "adhered strictly" to the FAS Constitution and considered the circumstances of the violation, as well as the punishment meted out by the court, said FAS.
The council also noted that in all four cases, the men had already served over 25 years of suspension, in addition to their respective court-imposed sentences, such as serving their jail terms. They had also kept clean records since, said FAS.
FAS president Bernard Tan said that the council had undertaken a "thorough and comprehensive assessment" of the appeals presented.
“The FAS believe in the principles of fairness, justice, and the opportunity for redemption," he said.
"This compassionate decision reflects our commitment to balancing punitive measures with a belief in the potential for rehabilitation, while reaffirming that our stance against match-fixing remains unwavering.
"The FAS is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity within Singaporean football, ensuring a clean, competitive, and vibrant environment for all stakeholders."
