Gouttefangeas' position in danger SSC's Lim says panel was not told of his financial position, FAS to investigate if S-League's new deputy CEO was a bankrupt

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SINGAPORE - The controversy surrounding Johan Gouttefangeas' appointment as S-League deputy chief executive officer (CEO) has taken another twist.

The New Paper reported yesterday that the Frenchman was declared a bankrupt in his country in 2010 and banned from doing business there for five years.

Speaking to TODAY at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night, Singapore Sports Council (SSC) CEO Lim Teck Yin, who was on the panel that selected Gouttefangeas, said: "We are just as upset as you are. This has just come to light, he did not disclose this material fact and the S-League needs to resolve this controversy as fast as possible. It is very disappointing."

The controversy comes just when the competition has been revamped and called S-League version 2.0.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), like all other National Sports Associations under the purview of the SSC, have been registered as a charity.

And Section 27.1b of the Charities Act states that a governing board member of a charity must not be an undischarged bankrupt.

Some football insiders say one possibility is that Gouttefangeas could be removed from his position even before the 2012 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League season kicks off on Feb 9.

In a statement released last night, the FAS insisted that due diligence was done before hiring Gouttefangeas.

"We did our due diligence and ran checks which found nothing amiss. As far as the FAS management is concerned, we were not aware of his personal issues back in France," said the FAS.

"FAS takes a serious view of the allegations directed towards Mr Johan Gouttefangeas. We will be conducting an immediate review before deciding on the next course of action."

While the S-League is a private entity, its new CEO Lim Chin said last night: "The S-League belongs to the FAS, and hence we do have to abide by the rules that govern charities ... The situation is looming large and a man's reputation is at stake. We need to regroup and consolidate first."

The FAS appointed Gouttefangeas to the position of CEO of the S-League on Jan 6. Unhappy over his appointment, his former club, Etoile FC, announced they were pulling out of the 2012 season on Monday to leave the competition with 13 teams this year.

Gouttefangeas had left Etoile FC S$100,000 in the red when he abruptly quit the club as chairman on June 24 last year and it was one of the main reasons why the 2010 S-League champions withdrew.

Gouttefangeas avoided speaking to Today at a luncheon attended by FAS officials as well as S-League club chairmen at the Amara Hotel yesterday. Today understands club chairmen were instructed not to address the issue to the media.

But, speaking on condition of anonymity, one club official said: "The FAS just did not do their due diligence before hiring him. This has made a laughing stock of Singapore football."

Another club official felt there was no other option but for the FAS to relieve Gouttefangeas of his duties.