NEW LOOK FOR S.LEAGUE 2004

[Rangers]

Media Release

For Immediate Release

NEW LOOK FOR S.LEAGUE 2004

The S.League will have a new look for next year. In line with the current restructuring exercise, the league will have a revamped line-up for the 2004 season.

This revamp is to strengthen and consolidate the league before considering any possible future expansion, building on the achievements of the last few years.

Japanese side Albirex Niigata are the latest team to come into the S.League, and are the second foreign team in the league following Sinchi FC’s debut season this year. These two teams will join seven other local clubs and the Young Lions to form a 10-team league next season.

The seven clubs are Balestier Khalsa FC, Geylang United FC, Home United FC, Singapore Armed Forces FC, Tanjong Pagar United FC, Tampines Rovers FC and Woodlands Wellington FC.

Said Mr Chan King Fook, CEO, S.League, "This restructuring exercise is a move in the right direction and I’m confident that we are putting in place a more solid foundation for the future."

"With these changes, the S.League will thus have the platform to make the step up and become a much better league. The inclusion of the foreign teams and the increased competitiveness of the league will give fans, sponsors and the media much to look forward to for the coming season."

"For the clubs who are not participating in next season’s S.League, it is still important for them to consolidate and to stay active in football activities such as running their COEs, and their community outreach programmes. We will certainly welcome them to apply to join the S.League at an opportune time."

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE

Singapore, Monday, 03 November 2003

[Rangers]

Good luck to all those jokers who think it will be a more solid foundation in the future.

Another thing to point out: what's the point of running COEs programme anymore when the FAS does not take care of or give assistances to the club? And continue to run the COEs so that other clubs can "steal" the youth players?

[Admin]

2004 S_League and Prime League will be like this:

1. 10 Teams (8 Locals and 2 Foreigns);
2. Teams are allowed to field only FOUR foreigners, like in 2003;
3. S-League season due to start in late February 2004 and end in October 2004, with no breaks;
4. Matches to kick-off at 7.30pm. However, with Euro 2004 in June, matches might start early;
5. S_League Matches to be played on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays to Thursdays, one match each, with two on Friday.
6. There will the usual one "Live" Match per week;
7. "Live" Matches might be only be shown at stadiums with better lighting and pitches. Like Bishan, Choa Chu Kang, Jalan Besar, Tampines Stadiums;
8. No penalty shoot-outs after draw matches;
9. Prime League matches is likely to be scheduled on either Saturdays or Sundays;
10. Singapore Cup Matches will be on Sundays instead of Tuesdays.


In a chit-chat with the Top Men in Singapore Football at Raffles City Convention Centre,

FAS Director (Marketing & Commmunications) Winston Lee said," I would actually prefer Prime League matches to be played just before the S-League matches. But the pitches cannot take two matches."

S_League CEO Chan King Fook said," Next season, penalty shoot-outs will not be used to decide on drawn matches. And we cannot say the bottom teams purposely play for a draw against Top Teams and hope for one more point in shoot-outs. It was not a failure. It did add excitement but agony and was not a crowd-drawer."