S'pore faces ban threat from FIFA

S'pore faces ban threat from FIFA

SINGAPORE (AFP): Football's governing body FIFA has threatened
to ban Singapore over compensation for two overseas players, a
report said yesterday.

"If the players aren't compensated in 30 days, it is our
standard procedure to set another deadline and suspend the
affiliate in the meantime," the evening daily New Paper quoted a
FIFA spokesman as saying.

"This means that Singapore will be banned from all
international tournaments till both players are compensated," the
spokesman said.

The threat arose over striker Esad Sejdic and goalkeeper
Sandro Radun, both Croatians, who were rejected by the Singapore
League board from playing for a local club on grounds of poor
performance and indiscipline.

The players complained to FIFA that they had valid contracts
with Woodlands Wellington, and the soccer body upheld their
complaint. The club owes Radun S$37,400 (US$26,714) and Sejdic
S$40,700.

FIFA's executive committee dismissed an appeal by the Football
Association of Singapore (FAS).

"We received the notice from FIFA yesterday," FAS executive
secretary Tan Eng Yoon told the New Paper. "The decision is final
and it's clear that Woodlands Wellington has no choice but to pay
the compensation as ordered within 30 days from June 2.

"There will be no further appeal from us and we will be
writing a letter to the chairman of Woodlands to inform him to
take the necessary steps," he said.

FAS officials could not be reached for comment.