Etoile chief lays down the law, vows to punish 'guilty players'

Source

by Philip Goh Haw Hann

08:12 AM May 25, 2011

SINGAPORE - A day after their match an Hougang Stadium was abandoned before kick-off due to fighting - the first time a match has had to be called off even before the first whistle due to violence in the 16 years of the S-League - the Etoile FC players were back at their home ground at Queenstown Stadium yesterday.

Trooping out for their usual training session at 5pm, the 17 players present sat in a semi-circle as club chairman and chief-executive Johan Gouttefangeas laid down the law.

The players eventually kicked off training more than 35 minutes later.

The ugly incidents involving French outfit Etoile and the Hougang players shocked the football fraternity and Gouttefangeas insisted that there was no compromise on the standard he had set for his players.

The Frenchman said he told his players the events at Hougang Stadium were unacceptable.

"Since the team arrived, I've always been very strict about their behaviour, on and off the field," he added.

"We have to apologise to FAS, the fans and the public, and everyone involved in football ... this is not what we want to see on a football field.

"I'm very, very angry to see such an incident because this is not the image I want for the club.

"I will watch the video and if some of my players are guilty for violent conduct, they will be punished very heavily. I won't wait for FAS to punish them, we will be the first to take action against the players."

Etoile defender Franklin Anzite and reserve goalkeeper Hadama Bathily sat out training. Anzite's arm was in a sling after picking up an elbow injury in the fracas, while Bathily sustained a neck injury.

On the Hougang side, chairman Bill Ng said assistant coach Hasrin Jailani had sought medical treatment after being punched in the neck and jaw, while defender Basit Abdul Hamid had suffered from blurred vision after being kick in the face.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) have set a disciplinary hearing next Friday (June 3rd), and pending that, all matches involving both teams have been suspended.



Matches suspended

26 May Etoile FC vs Albirex Niigata; 28 May Courts Young Lions vs Hougang United; 1 June Singapore Armed Forces FC vs Hougang United