The Football Association of Singapore’s internal review into the 2023 Southeast Asian Games disaster should well paint a grim and dark picture of the state of the game in Singapore.
And hopefully that helps them take action decisively.
Portions of the review, seen by TMSG through our sources, indicate that an overhaul of the national football body may well be in order.
TMSG is making this information gathered public so that the people in charge will be accountable, especially given that the national football body has itself convened the internal review following the disastrous SEA Games outing.
Our intent is simple: provide as accurate as possible an unadulterated picture of what led to Singapore’s shocking implosion at the SEA Games where the Young Lions, led by national U23 head coach Philippe Aw, finished rock bottom in terms of performance, returning with only a single point after a draw with Laos.
The Young Lions were demolished 7-0 by Malaysia in the final group match – a dead rubber – and also lost to both Thailand and Vietnam.
Lest you are wondering, the intent isn’t to pin the blame on any single person with this, contrary to what the FAS believes, as evidenced in its hasty email note to all affiliates at approximately 7.50pm on 30 June.
This was followed by a social media post at about 8.10pm with a similar message.
TMSG was also earlier served a note from FAS’ lawyers at about 7.45pm, asking that we not make public any reports which we may have seen or have possession of citing a “Breach of Confidence”.
THERE MUST BE ACCOUNTABILITY
It is not known when the FAS leadership led by interim President Bernard Tan will make the details of the review public.
TMSG is making information which has been sourced through interviews and other sources public so that the national body will be open, honest and transparent when it finally decides to release its details and recommendations, which was scheduled to be released within six weeks of the announcement of the review announced on 20 May – latest by 1 July.
There needs to be accountability from the people in charge, given the extent of the details which have been made available through the review.
The FAS’ post-SEA Games review was conducted by Executive Committee (EXCO) member Razali Saad and Council members Lim Tong Hai and Harman Ali, supported by former national coach Jita Singh.
When justifying his review panel, Tan said in an interview with Mothership, “The people who are involved [in the panel], I trust them…they are people of integrity and they are people of honour.
“And they love football. I don’t think they will mince their judgement. I am confident that they will come up with something.”
FAILURE OF THE LEADERSHIP
During the review, TMSG understands that it was discovered that there were no definite answers when the FAS leadership was asked about its strategic plan for the SEA Games.
It is understood that there was “no clear strategic plan” set for Singapore’s 2023 SEA Games football teams.
The review also allegedly points to a failure in relationship between FAS Technical Director Michael Browne and U23 Head Coach Aw even though it was Browne who recommended that Aw lead the Young Lions, ahead of other candidates, like current Persikabo 1973 coach Aidil Sharin Sahak.
In addition, it was discovered that there were allegedly no scheduled meetings, whether weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, held between the various heads of departments at the FAS and the SEA Games management team in the lead up to the Games, and with no recorded meeting minutes defining the entire process for the team leading up to the Games.
This in somewhat bizarre.