SINGAPORE - To inject greater excitement into the S-League, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has eased rules on the hiring of foreign players by clubs for the coming season - including lifting the S$10,000 monthly salary cap for a marquee foreign signing.
The FAS will also relax restrictions placed on clubs eyeing its S$110,000 subsidy for two young foreign players.
The FAS will provide an additional subsidy for clubs to sign a foreign player for their Prime League (under-23) squad. In total, clubs can sign up to six foreign players, but only four will be allowed to play at any time.
Next year, the S-League - which is already suffering from poor attendance figures - could lose some of its homegrown talents following the revival of the Lions' participation in the Malaysia Cup and Malaysian Super League.
While the S-League will be boosted by the presence of a Malaysian side, the FAS is taking further steps to ensure that the league continue to draw the fans.
The FAS is poised to announce the names of the 30 men who will switch from the S-League and turn out for the Lions in the Malaysian domestic football competitions.
When contacted yesterday, Gombak United chairman John Yap said he welcomed the changes. He said: "My first impression is that it is a vast improvement over the last rules, in the sense that it will increase the potential pool of players who fall under the young foreign player bracket and encourage clubs to take advantage of the subsidies."
For Mr Yap, the change in the rule for a marquee player could well inject some much needed buzz into the S-League. He said: "Those kind of players could well light up things on the pitch and add the glamour factor off it."
Former France internationals Laurent Robert and Lionel Charbonnier were previously linked to the S-League. And Mr Yap said he was interested in the former.
"If Robert isn't asking for too much it is definitely a possibility," said Mr Yap.
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Nicky Butt signed with Hong Kong side South China FC at the end of last year and was joined by former Serbian international Mateja Kezman. Their wages were rumoured to be in the region of US$50,000 (S$64,700) per month.
Today understands that Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, currently at Thai side Muang Thong United, could be signed for US$300,000 a year, but even that would be too much for an average S-League club which operates on a budget of S$1 million a year.
SAFFC coach Richard Bok said: "Singaporeans mostly want to see players who have played in the English League, but these players will come with big wages, and probably ask for a house and car. Clubs will need to look for a corporate sponsor to be able to afford that."
The changes
Young foreign player subsidy- Age cap raised from 21 to 23
- One-year contract allowed instead ofan enforced two-year deal
- Players do not have to hail from a country sanctioned for the Foreign Talent Scheme
- FAS prepared to be less stringent on player standard, which had been at two notches above Singapore national players
- Existing S-League players allowed to come under the scheme
Prime League player subsidy
- FAS will subsidise 50 per cent or up to S$1,500 of the salary of a foreign player aged 18 to 21 registered in a club's Prime League squad
Marquee player
- All clubs are allowed to sign a marquee player who will not be subjected to a salary cap. FAS will not offer subsidies for this player but he will not be required to pass the mandatory Beep test
No comments:
Post a Comment