The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed the appointment of Lim Chin as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with Johan Gouttenfangeas as his assistant. The duo will run the S-League version 2.0 independent from the FAS.
Before the announcement at the Jalan Besar Stadium this morning, rumors surfaced about Etoile FC’s plans to sit out the 2012 Great Eastern Yeo’s S-League season should their former chairman Johan, be given a key appointment at today’s announcement.
Although there was no official comment from Etoile FC, one can be forgiven for not understanding why there was even such a rumor.
Although Johan Gouttenfangeas brought Etoile onto the domestic scene and set it alight winning the championship, and being crowned League Cup Champions in their debut season – controversy has marred the Frenchman’s tenure as Chairman of the club.
Salaries were often delayed and promises such as a clubhouse and championship winning bonuses were never fulfilled. Those were the two issues which slowly crept in despite starting so brightly in the 2010 edition of the S-League.
Etoile FC’s first home game at the Queenstown stadium saw half-time entertainment as well as fireworks going off, with ticket prices among the highest in the entire league. Johan the businessman did not blink an eye when fans questioned his intention of charging $10 for admission tickets as opposed to the normal $5 or $6. He claimed that fans should pay a price to watch quality football.
A couple of months in and things started going down the drain for Etoile FC. Fans did not see fireworks nor half-time entertainment anymore and they started distancing themselves from the Etoile grounds. There was also the SGD$2million clubhouse that was promised, but never delivered.
At one stage, a source revealed, that a general talk session between players and Johan almost broke into a scuffle. Things got so bad and Johan had to leave Etoile FC in June 2011.
Players who previously turned out for the French outfit and who have since left the Singapore scene – also confirmed that they were made many promises by the former Etoile Chairman but instead left empty handed.
We are simply asking why a man who doesn’t seem to have a very good track record running a football club – could be appointed Deputy CEO of the SLeague.
Are we really heading in the right direction?
There will always be lingering doubts about Johan’s expertise and experience.
Lim Chin, in his role as CEO will head the S-League Business Unit, which he reports has secured sufficient funding for the next five years. However, no specific details or plans were given.
Lim is a more familiar name on the local football scene to some. He was chairperson to eight time S-League champions, Singapore Armed Forces Football Club from 2002 to 2006. The former Chief of Artillery is known to have a burning passion for football and was selected by a panel which consisted of Zainudin Nordin, Ms Jessie Phua and former FAS Chief, Prof Ho Peng Kee.
In other news at the media conference today, the FAS also announced that an iPhone application for the S-League and the S-League TV will be introduced as new initiatives for the 2012 season, which kicks off on 9 February 2012.
Article written by: Neo Chee Seong
