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SportSG seeks clarification from FAS over ‘large donations’

Getty Images file photo
Getty Images file photo

Sport Singapore (SportSG), the governing body of local sports, has called on the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to give an explanation on how it used donations.

SportSG’s request comes after a revelation by Hougang United chairman Bill Ng on Thursday night that he donated about S$850,000 to FAS after the association approached him asking for help to support the LionsXII project and the ASEAN Football Federation’s (AFF) Football Management System.

Ng claimed that the previous FAS council did not know about the donations and called on the media to direct their queries to FAS general secretary Winston Lee.

Lee then issued a rebuttal on Friday calling Ng’s allegations ‘baseless and untrue’.

SportSG said, “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.”

In addition, SportSG had asked FAS in February last year to justify why “sit out” S.League clubs Tanjong Pagar United, Gombak United and Woodlands Wellington (WWFC) should be allowed to continue their tenancy at SportSG facilities.

In June 2016, Gombak United and WWFC were required to vacate the premises at Bukit Gombak Stadium and Woodlands Stadium because there was “no justifiable reason for them to remain”, added SportSG.

SportSG had also asked for a report in March 2016 from FAS. SportSG said, “Following the receipt of feedback from the public on the proposed merger of WWFC with Hougang United Football Club, and complaints over 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.”

SportSG said FAS had informed the governing body that the sit-out clubs were being audited by external auditors. The FAS Provisional Council “had recently informed SportSG 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.”

“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,” said SportSG