If the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) thinks it has done a satisfactory job in explaining the donations of Hougang United chairman Bill Ng, it just received the biggest signal that it is expected to do much better.

Sport Singapore (SportSG), the governing body of local sports, has called on the “new council” of the FAS to account for the donations.

According to Today, SportsSG had sent out a statement to local media on April 16 afternoon.

“Much has been reported about the management of large donations to or through the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), and the source and management of these funds.

“As the sports sector charity administrator, Sport Singapore (SportSG) will require the new council to provide a complete and satisfactory report on the management of these matters.”

Ng is contesting the president’s role as part of Team Game Changers. He revealed on April 13 that he had donated close to S$850,000 to the FAS but was unsure of their use.

It is unclear why SportsSG was compelled to make a statement, calling on the "new council" to act, ahead of the upcoming inaugural FAS elections that will only be held on April. 29.

But it is quite likely that they have lost confidence in the leadership of the FAS under former president Zainudin Nordin, based on the statements that had failed to clear up the issues unequivocally.

New outstanding issues revealed

Meanwhile, according to the same report in Today, the FAS has also been tardy in submitting a report to SportSG detailing the outcomes of an investigation into the S.League "sit out" clubs - Tanjong Pagar United, Gombak United and Woodlands Wellington (WWFC).

SportSG had asked the FAS in February 2016 to “provide justification” on why the clubs should be “allowed to continue their tenancy” at SportSG facilities. In June 2016, Gombak United and WWFC had to to vacate the premises at Bukit Gombak Stadium and Woodlands Stadium as there was no justifiable reason for them to remain.

“Following the receipt of feedback from the public on the proposed merger of WWFC with Hougang United Football Club, and complaints over the management of jackpot revenue at WWFC, Sport Singapore, in March 2016, had asked the FAS to conduct an investigation to clarify the facts of the matter, address irregularities, if any, and provide Sport Singapore with a report”

“Meanwhile, the FAS Provisional Council, which had reached the end of its term, had recently informed SportSG that that the external auditors engaged by the FAS to audit the S.League sit-out clubs required more time to complete the audit, specifically with respect to certain transactions,” the spokesperson added."

“SportSG will await the completion of the audit and the submission of the report, which is taking longer than expected, before deciding on follow-up actions.”

Signs of more things to come?

Related articles:

Football Drama: More questions for the FAS before the upcoming election

Football leadership elections: Power, “donations” and much intrigue revealed in the campaign

2 uncles fighting to be S’pore’s new football chief, one accusing the other of ulterior motives

Top photo adapted from SportsSg and FAS

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