Press Releases ● Nov 26, 2015
UPDATE ON LIONSXII
SINGAPORE, 26 NOVEMBER 2015: Further to our announcement on 25 November 2015, Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Zainudin Nordin and General Secretary Winston Lee met with the LionsXII players and backroom staff earlier this evening.
The management assured the players that they will secure a playing contract at the same salary for the 2016 season. The players were informed that the FAS is consulting its key partners on the various possibilities relating to their playing club in the S.League next season.
“We are thankful to the FAS management for their concern and in taking swift action to support us. The certainty that every player in LionsXII is assured of a playing contract for next year means a lot to us, and the guarantee that we will receive the same salary is definitely a big bonus,” said Zulfahmi Arifin.
Senior physiotherapist Nurhafizah Abu Sujad said: “While the decision not to renew the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) came as a surprise, we acknowledge that this was an agreement with a fixed duration. All of us were pleased that the FAS senior management met up with all players and officials within 24 hours of receiving the news.”
“As always, FAS responded quickly to assure us of our future, and we are very grateful for this gesture. We appreciate the guarantee of contracts for 2016. It was a different experience for us to play in a foreign league for the past four years but we will now look ahead to next season in returning to a very competitive S.League with this assurance given to us by FAS,” asserted Gabriel Quak.
“We heard about the news around midnight on Tuesday and naturally, our players were down. However, the management was quick to assure the team and spoke to us even before we returned to Singapore the next day. My officials and players appreciate the professionalism and sincerity of the management. Their prompt action in assuring us all have given us full confidence to do well on Saturday,” revealed Head Coach Fandi Ahmad.
“Unlike what some have said, the LionsXII has been a positive project for our players – many of whom lack regional and international exposure. We all knew that the MOU was valid for four years, and there will come a time when we have to move on. Now is the time and while we were disappointed by the approach FAM took in announcing this decision, it has been a good journey and we will now continue to develop further,” concluded Fandi.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
