S-League deputy CEO steps down

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SINGAPORE - The S-League's deputy chief executive officer, Mr Johan Gouttefangeas (picture), whose appointment a month ago had been dogged by controversy, tendered his resignation last night.

It came two weeks after it emerged that he had failed to disclose that two of his businesses in France went bankrupt in 2010. His appointment had also led French outfit Etoile FC, which he had once chaired, to quit the S-League in protest.

The Frenchman said in a statement that it was in the best interests of the S-League and Singapore football that he stepped down.

"As I had mentioned earlier, the FAS (Football Association of Singapore) and the S-League did their due diligence checks on me prior to the appointment and found nothing amiss," said Mr Gouttefangeas, 34.

"It was an oversight on my part that I failed to disclose to the FAS the fact that my companies in France were liquidated and that the court in France had imposed on me the prohibition to manage any sole proprietorship, artisanal or commercial. I had subsequently apologised to FAS president Zainudin Nordin," he added.

Mr Gouttefangeas was introduced by the FAS at a press conference on Jan 7, alongside former SAFFC chairman Lim Chin, who was named the new CEO of the S-League.

The Frenchman had impressed a selection panel with his marketing ideas and network of contacts around Europe and was charged to help revamp Singapore's only domestic professional competition.

Mr Gouttefangeas was originally chairman of Etoile FC when it became the first foreign club to lift the S-League title in its rookie season here in 2010.

He left abruptly in June last year, and the club, which had debts of around S$100,000, was taken over by Mr Hicham Moudden.

Citing financial constraints as well as its unhappiness with Mr Gouttefangeas' new appointment, Etoile FC pulled out of the 2012 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League two weeks ago.

Clubs officials Today spoke to felt that Mr Gouttefangeas made the correct decision.

They want the position filled by someone with bold ideas.

Mr John Yap, the Gombak United chairman, said: "The person should have the marketing abilities that led the FAS to pick Johan, but the person need not be a foreigner because the local market is equally important."

Courts managing director Terry O'Connor, whose company sponsors the Young Lions, put a premium on leadership qualities.

"He must be someone who has been successful and doesn't really need the money, but wants to do it because he loves the sport and has a passion for it," said Mr O'Connor.

As the Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League prepares to enter its 17th season, with kick-off scheduled on Feb 9, SAFFC general manager Kok Wai Leong hoped for someone blessed with creativity and daring.

Mr Kok: "We've tried everything. Johan seemed like he was willing to try new ideas when he came around to see us, and this is what we need, someone who can tell us something different that can work."