FAS staff handed warning letter over scuffle with vendor

SINGAPORE — The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has issued a warning letter to its communications manager, Dominic Leong, for his role in a physical altercation with one of its vendors, video producer Nick Tan, during the S.League community shield match between Albirex Niigata and Tampines Rovers on Feb 26.

TODAY understands that the incident, which was caught on CCTV, saw Leong landing a series of blows on Tan’s head following an exchange of words between the two men at the National Stadium. They were arguing over the media accreditation for one of Tan’s videographers.

Following the incident, Tan, who runs his own company, Nick of Time Productions, was suspended from covering all FAS-related events until its disciplinary committee completed their investigations into the matter, while Leong was allowed to continue in his job.

However, Tan was informed by the newly-elected FAS council on Monday (June 5) that the investigations had been completed and he was cleared to continue working with the association.

Leong was handed an official letter of warning over the incident, TODAY has learnt.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, FAS vice-president S Thavaneson said: “Regarding the matter of the incident between FAS communications manager Dominic Leong and video producer Nick Tan, the disciplinary committee, formed by three external lawyers, had made recommendations to the FA on appropriate measures.

“The FAS have reviewed their findings and accepted their recommendations.

“Nick Tan has been reinstated with immediate effect. Disciplinary action has been taken with Dominic Leong and both Nick and Dominic have accepted the outcome.”

Tan told TODAY he was happy with the outcome of the investigation and said he was looking forward to working with the FAS again.

“I’m very relieved that this whole issue has been resolved after nearly four months and that my innocence has been proven,” he said. “I met up with the new FAS council and they agreed to reinstate me and my company as one of the FAS’s vendors once again.

“The FAS and I are both eager to put this episode behind us and work together again moving forward in order to help grow and promote Singapore football.”