Right now, Etoile are out of the 2012 S-League

Source

SINGAPORE - The protagonists have kept their cards close to their chests, with much going on behind the scenes, but sources have revealed that French side Etoile FC had already informed the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Tuesday of their intention to pull out of the 2012 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League.

The French side have taken issue with the appointment of Johan Gouttefangeas as deputy to S-League CEO Lim Chin.

It is understood that allegations of late salary payments, unpaid bonuses and a promise of a clubhouse that never materialised when Gouttefangeas was chairman of Etoile from 2010 to June last year, are just some of the factors that have seen the 34-year-old anger his fellow Frenchmen.

It is understood talks are currently underway between the FAS and Etoile in a bid to get the French outfit to rethink their withdrawal, and to address some financial matters.

If Etoile decide to stay out, then the 2012 S-League season will feature 13 teams, with the Malaysian under-23 team, Japan's Albirex Niigata and Brunei's DPMM FC as the three foreign sides.

Gouttefangeas was chairman of Etoile when they became the first foreign side to lift the S-League title in their maiden season here in 2010.

Businessman Hicham Moudden took over as chairman of the club when Gouttefangeas abruptly left on June 24 last year.

Gouttefangeas was conspicuously absent from one of the biggest sponsor announcements in recent S-League history on Wednesday, when Great Eastern penned a S$1 million two-year deal to extend their co-title sponsorship of the competition.

FAS chief Zainudin Nordin had earlier told Today: "We will never allow the tail to wag the dog ... and we won't be cowed or threatened by anything. We will continue the league whatever happens."

Etoile's players are due to return to Singapore on Sunday in preparation for the season, which is scheduled to kick-off on Feb 9.