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.