S'pore football coach Gavin Lee stresses team standards amid Irfan Fandi's omission from squad

Singapore national football coach Gavin Lee has emphasised the importance of team standards when questioned about defender Irfan Fandi's continued absence from the Lions squad.

The 29-year-old had earlier been left out of Singapore's squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

He was subsequently omitted from the 24-man squad announced on Nov. 4 for Singapore's November friendlies.

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Speaking to The Straits Times (ST) on Nov. 11, Lee did not specify why Irfan had been omitted, but said his priority was selecting the strongest possible squad for each international window.

He added that players who missed out on selection, including Irfan, could still earn future call-ups.

"The door is never fully closed," Lee said.

Coach stresses importance of team standards

An earlier online report in September by The Monitor claimed that Irfan had broken a hotel curfew during the 2026 ASEAN Championship.

Lee was subsequently asked by ST whether Irfan's exclusion was meant to send a message to the rest of the squad, but did not directly address the allegation.

"Ultimately, for every team and for every organisation in the world, the team standards come first," he said.

Lee stressed that representing Singapore required players to place the team's interests above their own.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS), meanwhile, told ST that it would not address the curfew allegation, citing its policy against commenting on unverified claims and speculation.

Irfan also declined to comment when approached by ST.

Mothership had earlier reached out to FAS when The Monitor story broke. FAS declined to comment.

A spokesperson for the Fandi family had also declined to comment on Mothership's queries.