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S-League duo seek players’ union

SINGAPORE — Amid the brouhaha over the changes to next season’s S-League, Tanjong Pagar United captain Hafiz Osman and Warriors FC vice-captain Zulfadli Zainal are planning to lobby for a players’ union to look into the welfare and rights of more than 200 players plying their trade in the competition.

Warriors FC’s Zulfadli Zainal (above) and Tanjong Pagar’s Hafiz Osman want to set up a union to protect the interests of S-League footballers. Photo: Zulfadli Zainal

Warriors FC’s Zulfadli Zainal (above) and Tanjong Pagar’s Hafiz Osman want to set up a union to protect the interests of S-League footballers. Photo: Zulfadli Zainal

SINGAPORE — Amid the brouhaha over the changes to next season’s S-League, Tanjong Pagar United captain Hafiz Osman and Warriors FC vice-captain Zulfadli Zainal are planning to lobby for a players’ union to look into the welfare and rights of more than 200 players plying their trade in the competition.

Early last week, the Football Association of Singapore announced that the S-League would be cut from 12 to 10 teams next season, with Tanjong Pagar United sitting out, while Woodlands Wellington and Hougang United would merge.

New age restrictions for Singapore-born players would also see teams limited to a maximum of five players aged 30 and above, and a minimum of three players aged 25 and under for teams with a 22-man squad. Those with a 20-man squad will have more leeway.

The changes sparked anger over the abrupt announcement and claims that players and staff were not consulted first. Many, especially the Tanjong Pagar players and staff, are fearful for their futures.

Hafiz and Zulfadli told TODAY they hope to establish the union before next season’s S-League and are set to make a formal pitch to the FAS.

“We are looking to get other footballers on board, and I don’t think it will be hard to find 10 of them for us to set up the union,” said Zulfadli, 26. “We want someone coming from the 30-and-above age group, someone from the under-25 category, a national team player, a Prime League player and a foreign player to represent the varied voices of the professional footballers in Singapore.

Hafiz, 30, added: “I don’t know whether to allow my son to pursue a career in the S-League, because it is in such disarray, unless something is being changed.”

However, they insist the players’ union must work with, and not against, the FAS and S-League.

“We are not looking to oppose the FAS, but to work amicably and professionally with them. It is time the players have a voice in policies, and not just merely accepting whatever decisions that are passed down,” said Zulfadli.

Key areas they hope such a union can address include unfair termination of contracts and 11-month contracts that leave players uncertain over their futures.

“Younger players may be more naive and accept unfair proposals by their clubs to them, and we want to protect them. Foreign players are also vulnerable and need a support system that they can turn to,” said Zulfadli.

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is one body that looks into workers’ welfare in Singapore, but Hafiz and Zulfadli declined to say if they had approached the NTUC to help them set up the union.

It is believed that former national players Aide Iskandar, R Sasikumar and S Subramani also met the FAS in 2000 to set up a players’ union, but it did not materialise.

“Footballers often talk about the idea (of setting up a players’ union), but did not believe the FAS will accept it, or were fearful that their careers would be at risk if they did so,” said Zulfadli.

“But now, many of us are better informed and we hope to help the S-League climb to greater heights.”

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