Etoile set to make decision today

Source

SINGAPORE - Etoile FC's participation in the 2012 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League season is still up in the air.

The 2010 champions are unhappy over the appointment of their former chairman Johan Gouttefangeas as the deputy chief executive officer (CEO) of the S-League, and sources have revealed that the French outfit could go as far as to sit out the coming campaign.

Last week, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) named former SAFFC chairman Lim Chin as the S-League's new CEO, with Gouttefangeas as the deputy.

Representatives from the French club have met FAS president Zainudin Nordin to discuss their participation in the S-League, and they are poised to give a statement today on their next move.

Speaking to Today, Etoile general manager Laurent Panelli said yesterday: "We are still talking internally, and we're not prepared to speak yet. We are planning to hold a press conference (today) and we will speak then."

While Gouttefangeas claimed last week he is in the dark over why his former club are unhappy with him, it is believed previous financial disagreements are the big reason for the tension between the two parties.

While it is believed the S-League will kick off on Feb 9, the FAS have yet to release the fixtures for the year, with some believing the Etoile situation is holding up the matter.