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FAS demands apology from freelance writer Suresh Nair over ‘false allegations’

SINGAPORE – Freelance writer Suresh Nair has been issued a cease and desist letter from the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), after he had alleged that the FAS had deliberately leaked information about lawyer Krishna Ramachandra’s resignation as chairman of Tampines Rovers.

Suresh Nair (top left) had quoted in his article, which was published in The Independent, and Sport 247 websites, several unnamed S.League club officials accusing the FAS management for leaking the news about Tampines Rovers chairman Krishna Ramachandra's intentions (bottom left)  to step down. Photos: Suresh Nair, TODAY file photos

Suresh Nair (top left) had quoted in his article, which was published in The Independent, and Sport 247 websites, several unnamed S.League club officials accusing the FAS management for leaking the news about Tampines Rovers chairman Krishna Ramachandra's intentions (bottom left) to step down. Photos: Suresh Nair, TODAY file photos

SINGAPORE – Freelance writer Suresh Nair has been issued a cease and desist letter from the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), after he had alleged that the FAS had deliberately leaked information about lawyer Krishna Ramachandra’s resignation as chairman of Tampines Rovers.

In an article titled “This is not fair play, FAS” which was published in The Independent, a Singapore news website, and Malaysian sports website Sport 247, on June 22, Suresh wrote that Krishna had corresponded with FAS president Lim Kia Tong and deputy president Bernard Tan to indicate his intentions of stepping down.

Suresh added that Sport Singapore (SportSG) chief executive officer Lim Teck Yin had also received a copy of Krishna’s correspondence with the FAS.

However, the article went on to state: “But his (Krishna’s) private script is believed to have been deliberately circulated, in an apparent move to embarrass him, say close friends.

“Now more impassioned smoke is coming from the five-time S-League champion that the boss’s restricted note to FAS big-wigs was probably leaked out to the media, which has reportedly made the 46-year-old lawyer see red.”

Suresh had also quoted in the article several unnamed S.League club officials accusing the FAS management for the leak.

The FAS has since publicly denied that they had leaked information about Krishna’s resignation – which is classified confidential – with vice-president Edwin Tong insisting that the FAS has “very strict policies (about confidential information) in place.”

And now, the FAS has decided to take action against Suresh for his allegations in the article.

It sent a letter – dated June 24 – to Suresh demanding that he “cease and desist from making any such false and baseless allegations.”

The letter, which was signed by FAS general secretary Winston Lee on behalf of the executive committee (exco), also insisted that Suresh publish an “unreserved apology” to the FAS for his “unsubstantiated...slanderous and malicious” claims in the article.

In addition, Suresh has been asked to confirm in writing to the FAS if the “unnamed sources” he quoted in the article were “true...or simply fictitious.”

The FAS has given Suresh until noon on Tuesday (June 27) to fulfil these obligations. Should he fail to do so, the FAS will consider taking further action against him.

FAS president Lim Kia Tong said in a media statement: “On 22nd June, Suresh Nair published an article on his Facebook page titled ‘This is not fair play, FAS’. He also circulated that article to his email database, as well as published it on at least two websites, The Independent SG and Sports247.

“In his article, he makes a very serious allegation that members of the FAS Council leaked the resignation letter of Mr Krishna Ramachandran from his position as Tampines Rovers Football Club chairman to the media.

“His claim is false and baseless and is written to intentionally smear the reputation of the FAS and its leadership.

“The FAS Exco has written to him to demand a full and unreserved apology for his malicious accusations.”

Suresh had previously submitted his nomination to run as an independent candidate in April’s FAS elections, but failed to pass the requisite eligibility checks done by the ad hoc electoral committee.

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