FAS in contact with FIFA on issue of third-party influence

SINGAPORE — The Football Association of Singapore has indicated that it is “happy” to cooperate with FIFA, the international body governing world football, on the issue of third-party influence in the national sports association.

Under the FAS Constitution, all members of the council are appointed by the Minister in charge of sports - with the sporting body coming under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth - for a period of two years, a term which can be extended by the Minister.

But FIFA rules stipulate that all national football associations must operate “independently and with no influence from third parties”.

A FIFA spokesperson told Yahoo last week that the global body “is aware of the matter and is working to ensure that the FIFA Statutes are respected in this regard”.

Yesterday (July 19), an FAS spokesman confirmed that it has been contacted by the international body over this issue.

“FIFA has informed us that it would like to review our statutes. We are happy to provide them with any information that they will need,” Mr Gerard Wong told Channel NewsAsia.

The FAS Council currently includes its president, deputy president, vice-presidents, treasurer, executive committee members, general secretary and the S.League’s Chief Executive Officer.

According to its constitution, “all Council Members shall be appointed by the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (now the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth) in his discretion and shall, unless otherwise decided by the Minister, hold office for a period of two years”.

The appointments of the FAS Council members must be confirmed at the FAS’ Annual General Meeting by an absolute majority (more than 50 per cent) of eligible voting members, according to the constitution. CHANNEL NEWSASIA