FAS steps up security at S'pore-Syria game

SINGAPORE — Following last Friday’s terror attacks in Paris, which left at least 129 dead and more than 300 wounded, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) stepped up security measures at the National Stadium for today's (Nov 17) FIFA World Cup qualifying clash between Singapore and Syria, saying it took “the necessary precautions”.

The association, however, declined to provide specific details of what these measures were, while fans TODAY spoke to said they did not notice heavy security presence at the match, which drew 7,468 spectators to the stadium, and ended with Syria beating Singapore 2-1.

A day earlier, Syria’s head coach Fajr Ibrahim, together with a Syrian player and an official, donned T-shirts emblazoned with a picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad in a gesture of support for the embattled leader.

In response to queries from TODAY before the game, the FAS reassured that the fans’ safety and well-being, as well as that of their players, officials and volunteers were of utmost importance.

It added: “As part of our standard operating procedures, the FAS has been and will continue to work closely with the authorities, Singapore Sports Hub and all relevant stakeholders to take the necessary precautions and enhance security measures for the match.”

When contacted, a Singapore Sports Hub spokesman explained that they were only the venue providers, and that the onus on security fell in the hands of the hirer — the FAS, in this case. Apart from a few more security officers at the various stadium entrances, fans TODAY spoke to said they did not see or experience any obvious differences in the checking processes when they entered the venue.

Nineteen-year-old student Mohammad Haris, who had also attended Singapore’s game against Japan last Thursday, said: “I thought the security checks were normal, just like in the previous game. Of course, it was just more crowded for that match. But I don’t feel any different, or any sense of fear or tension in the stadium.”

Technician Chee Ah Kok, 38, added: “Perhaps they checked my bags a little more thoroughly, but apart from that, there wasn’t anything too extreme. I feel as a country we are ready to cope with any possible threats, just like the one in Paris, although we must not be complacent.”

Mr Ang Bock Leng, who was with his 12-year-old son, admitted that he had considered giving the game a miss in the aftermath of the Paris attacks.

“My wife tried to dissuade me from coming to the game because she feared for our safety,” the 44-year-old regional business manager said. “But I convinced her we’d be safe and that security would be tight.”

While he did not notice any added security measures, he added that security checks here ”very thorough to begin with”.

Syrian fans approached by TODAY declined to be interviewed. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AMANPREET SINGH