Football Association of Singapore

SINGAPORE, 4 NOVEMBER 2024 – A regrettable incident of racial abuse took place at a Singapore Premier League (SPL) match between Geylang International Football Club (GIFC) and Tanjong Pagar United Football Club (TPUFC) on 19 July 2024, where verbal abuse was targeted at TPUFC player, Salif Cisse, by a group of GIFC supporters.

TPUFC lodged a formal complaint to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on 20 July 2024.  On 24 July, two GIFC fans owned up and admitted to being the perpetrators of the verbal abuse.  They have accepted that this was wrong. There has also been a closed-door meeting between Cisse, two representatives from the Ultra Eagles (UE), as well as the GIFC Management, arranged by FAS. GIFC management made an in-person apology to Cisse, and both clubs committed themselves to assist in FAS’s ongoing investigations and to work together with the relevant authorities to educate fans and the wider community on such issues.

Action Taken

While investigations were on-going, GIFC took the following steps which the FAS was satisfied with:

1. Informed the group of fans under investigation that they are not to attend any matches until investigations were concluded;
2. Deployed extra security stewards to ensure orderliness of fans; and
3. Worked with the leaders of GIFC official fan club to help ensure orderliness of fans.

During this period, the FAS had also issued reminders to fans, through social media posts and in-stadia signages, that racism has no place in our game.

FAS’s formal investigation has substantiated that two GIFC fans, both of whom have been identified, were responsible for racist chanting, which included the making of “monkey noises” and using derogatory racist language on Cisse. This chanting went on for at least 15 minutes, and was heard by the player himself, fans in the stands, as well as players along the touchline.

Sanctions

The FAS strongly condemns this behaviour, which is in direct violation of the FAS’ Spectator Code of Behaviour. Racial abuse and all other forms of abuse or discrimination has no place in football. As such, the FAS issued the following sanctions:

1. The two individuals were banned from attending all FAS organised and sanctioned competitions and matches from July until 30 September 2024. In addition, the two individuals will be required to complete 30 hours of community service through GIFC. The two individuals had accepted this sanction.
2. GIFC was given a suspended fine of $5000 for failing to uphold Article D of the FAS/SPL Spectator Code of Behaviour, which requires clubs to be responsible for the behaviour of their fans and is a code practiced in football worldwide. Given GIFCs cooperation and seriousness in addressing the incident, the FAS has assessed that a suspended fine would suffice.  This included GIFC proactively contacting TPUFC and the player Salif Cisse to apologise for the unacceptable behaviour. This suspended fine will stand until the end of the SPL 2024/25 season (31 May 2025).

Creating a safe environment for all

In investigating how the situation was handled, the FAS also detected areas for improvement, such as the absence of an established protocol to deal immediately with the issue on site. Hence, as part of our commitment to creating a safe environment for all, we will be implementing the following;

1. Brief all clubs on the protocol to follow with regard to abuse from the stands: Fans should be empowered to report any form of abuse from the stands to the security personnel. In addition, stadium marshals and security personnel should raise the alarm to the Match Commissioner and the Home Club, and be empowered to expel errant fans from stadiums, an act that is consistent with the handling abusive behaviour as per the FAS/SPL Spectator Code of Behaviour. This protocol will be established and disseminated as soon as possible.
2. Implement FIFA’s Three-Step Protocol.  Game officials must also step up. Referees, upon being made aware of racist chanting, are to implement the new FIFA Three-step Protocol, which includes pausing the game so that an announcement can be made to demand that the racist chanting stops; if this proceeds, to take a second pause in the game, this time taking the players off the field to allow for the crowd to correct its behaviour, and if this continues for a third time, to abandon the game. The FAS undertakes to implement this protocol in full by 1 January 2025.

FAS sets up Respect Committee

As a broader measure to address abuse and discriminatory behaviour in football, the FAS Congress approved the setting up of a Respect Standing Committee. This body is responsible for establishing both educational programs and protocols to prevent and protect individuals from all forms of abusive behaviour in football.  The end aim is to make football inclusive and family friendly.

Chaired by lawyer, Mr Michael Palmer, the five-member Committee comprises former Singapore international Mr Lionel Lewis, Mr Clement Lim, Singapore Sports School Deputy Principal, Ms Shahrany Hassan who is part of the Unleash the Roar! Executive Committee, and St Michael’s Soccer Association’s Mr Kieren Pereira.

As it is important for respect in football is inculcated at youth levels, the Respect Committee will be given special oversight over the Singapore Youth League so that it can promote positive behaviour in football among our young aspiring footballers, their parents and coaches.  To this end, it will also serve as the Disciplinary Committee of this league given its strong focus on the education of young footballers.

The Committee will commence its work immediately, and seek to put in place programs and protocols in the near future.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE