FAS ‘shocked and surprised’ by criticism from SNOC chief Mark Chay, says matter has been resolved privately

SINGAPORE: The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) was “shocked and surprised” by comments made by Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) secretary-general Mark Chay on the Young Lions, but said that the matter has been resolved in private.

Speaking at a press conference held at Jalan Besar stadium on Friday (Dec 26), FAS general secretary Badri Ghent said he had a “really productive and constructive” meeting with Mr Chay.

“When Mark's comments first came to light, I think it's fair to say it (our reaction) was one of shock and surprise,” said Mr Badri.

“His comments came from a place of concern and care for Singapore football, in terms of where we are today, vis a vis where we will be moving forward.”

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In a post SEA Games press conference, Mr Chay said that the team's attitude is something that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) needs to look at.

"The athletes just walked off the field, didn't even acknowledge the crowd," he said of the game against Timor-Leste. "I understand disappointment, but they need to really look at sportsmanship, really look at attitude and respect of the sport, as well as the people who went there to support them."

Mr Chay's comments received mixed reactions from the sporting fraternity, with some telling CNA previously that the remark about players' attitude was "uncalled for".

On this point, Mr Badri said that he was present at the Timor-Leste game and could vouch for the fact that the players did acknowledge the fans.

“In my discussions with Mark, we've attributed it to a situation whereby he had vacated his seat post match and he did not see them acknowledging the fans,” he added.

“We had a really good discussion, and we are prepared to put this matter behind us, because such matters are not helpful in the grand scheme of things. Ultimately, between FAS, SNOC ... we are all here for the betterment of sport and football in Singapore.”

Mr Badri added that sportsmanship is a “foundational pillar” at the FAS.

“Our players, our staff, they know that this is a non-negotiable trait. And especially we're playing overseas … they are ambassadors for Singapore on and off the pitch,” he said.

CNA has contacted Mr Chay for comment.

A SYSTEMIC ISSUE?

At the press conference, which was also FAS' review of the Games, Young Lions head coach Firdaus Kassim apologised, and said he takes responsibility for the team’s “poor and disappointing” Games campaign.

“This has been a very underwhelming SEA Games campaign and we will not run from the fact,” he said.

Asked if Firdaus and women’s head coach Karim Bencherifa will continue in their roles, Mr Badri said that FAS will look at such decisions “objectively and holistically”.

“Obviously we need to have a good head coach in place but over and above that, you need good technical staff supporting the head coach as well,” he added.

Firdaus said that he remains committed to the cause if a decision is made for him to stay.

"I don't take things very lightly. But I really, really believe in the work I'm doing and the project that the management has set up for us to do," he said.

"Ultimately, it's up to the management to make a decision whether I'm the right guy to take the team forward."

In his post-Games comments, Mr Chay added that there needs to be "acceptance" and "awareness" from FAS that there is an issue.

"The key to actually making any change, or any progress is acceptance and awareness of ... there being a problem," said Mr Chay. "I haven't heard anything from FAS or the athletes that there is a problem. I think that is a systemic problem."

In response, Mr Badri said he had also discussed with Mr Chay about the “systemic" issue.

"In my discussions with Mark, there seemed to be some underlying issues between FA and SNOC, but a lot of it stems from administrative elements," he added. "He clarified some of his points, which I won't go into too much detail, but both of us left the meeting feeling positive."

Mr Chay had also said that there were no regrets in sending the team to the Games, but the Young Lions were "outmuscled, outpaced and outlasted" in their 1-3 loss to Timor-Leste.

On this, Mr Badri said there was agreement that the Young Lions had underperformed.

"The result speaks for itself," said Mr Badri, when asked about the comments on the performance. "We will be the first to acknowledge that a lot of things can be done better and will be done better. There was a lot of alignment with Mark on this."

"We will not hide behind the performance (against Timor Leste), it was not good enough," added FAS vice-president Tan Li Yu. 

"Many people have their thoughts on the game and we are as disappointed as anyone and we hold our hands up high. It is not just the fault of the coaching staff ... everyone will take responsibility."

At the last edition of the tournament, the Young Lions suffered a 0-7 drubbing at the hands of Causeway rivals Malaysia. That was Singapore's heaviest defeat at the Games since the competition became an age-group affair in 2001.

Earlier this year, the Young Lions were left out of the provisional list for the Games. But the team appealed successfully, playing out two closed-door friendlies, with a win and a draw, to strengthen the case for their inclusion.

FAS' REVIEW OF GAMES

Mr Tan said that FAS had put in "a lot of effort" and "poured in resources" to ensure that the Young Lions were as prepared as possible for the Games.

This was in the form of "six months preparation" programme to get them "as much international exposure as possible", as well as putting together a "strong team" of coaching staff.

Leading up to the Games, the team had three overseas training camps as well as played a number of international friendlies.

In a presentation which laid bare past performances of Singapore's youth teams, as well number of minutes played by young players in the domestic league, Firdaus highlighted some of the challenges faced, including having a limited talent pool of eligible players.

"You can see the gap, the very big gap that we're trying to catch up (to)," he said, referring to the disparity in international minutes played by Young Lions and players of other neighbouring countries.

"This is one of the reasons why in the last six months we've been very, very aggressive in trying to arrange high quality matches for them."

"We acknowledge honestly that the communication and the expectation for the SEA Games could have and should have come out earlier," added Mr Tan. 

However, Mr Tan said that it is not all doom and gloom. He pointed to the team's first half performance against Thailand, and their relative youth as things to be "heartened" about.

According to FAS, the average age of the squad sent to the Games was 19.78, the lowest in more than a decade.

"We have more than half the team that can play the next SEA Games, and we have actually five players who can play in the SEA Games two editions later," said Mr Tan.

"The future, we feel, is bright. We have young talents that's coming through, we are putting in place a strong development system together with UTR (Unleash the Roar)."

Mr Tan added that FAS is committed to making sure it puts in "as much resources" into youth development as possible. Moving forward, this means "regular international exposure" for the U-16, U-19 and U-22 teams moving forward, he said.

Mr Badri said that the FAS council is committed to being transparent with the public.

"We are day in, day out, plugging at it, chomping at the bit every single day, finding a way to help improve Singapore football," he said.

"Until such time where we instil that sense of pride and belief and joy in Singapore football, we will not rest."