As the local football campaign gets under way this weekend with the Community Shield, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced yesterday some new initiatives for the second season of the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
Apart from a slight increase in subsidies for the local clubs, the biggest change will be the stadium sharing plan.
From this year, four stadiums - Jalan Besar (Young Lions and Hougang United), Bishan (Home United and Balestier Khalsa), Jurong East (Albirex Niigata and Warriors FC) and Our Tampines Hub (Tampines Rovers and Geylang International), will be used to host the eight local clubs. DPMM FC will continue to play their home matches in Brunei.
This has led to concerns that fans of the affected clubs will feel displaced. For example, Hougang are known for their loyal fan base and this is acknowledged by FAS general secretary Yazeen Buhari, who said: "They are ever-present at Hougang Stadium and they have a certain connection with the place.
"But we have explained to them the investment... is to increase the match-day experience.
"Given the infrastructure that exists in Hougang Stadium, it is less attractive to upgrade Hougang as compared to doing it (sharing stadium) at Jalan Besar."
Gerard Christopher, the FAS' deputy director (general secretary's office), added: "While the clubs, like Hougang, play their home matches at a new stadium, it does not mean they will be uprooted in terms of community engagement. They still continue to reach out to the community there and engage with schools."
Infrastructure at the four SPL stadiums will be upgraded.
Although the costs were not disclosed, the shared stadiums will receive bigger LED scoreboards, better sound systems, bucket seats for all spectators, LED billboards and banners as well as renovated dressing rooms in club colours.
SPL IN NUMBERS
65
Number of footballers (excluding the Young Lions) younger than 23 last year, nearly double the 33 in 2017 before age regulations were imposed.126
All SPL games will be streamed live this year, compared to 98 last season.19.4
Average passing mark of the Yo-Yo test this year. The passing mark was raised from 18.4 to 19.1 this year. The test is a multi-stage shuttle run conducted to increase tempo to gauge players' anaerobic fitness and all players must pass before being registered. No player failed last year.
"It is a great venue, and it will give us opportunities to organise match-day activities, and promote the club on other days, because there are just so many people using the facility," Geylang's general manager Andrew Ang told The Straits Times earlier, when asked about playing their home games at Our Tampines Hub.
The FAS was keen to emphasise that the stadium sharing arrangement is not permanent.
As part of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's Sports Facilities Master Plan, residents in Punggol can also look forward to a regional sports centre, similar to Our Tampines Hub. It is expected to be ready by 2021 and a northern-based club like Hougang could relocate to the new stadium.
The local SPL clubs, which received $1.01 million each in subsidies from the FAS last season, will enjoy an increase in funding this year.
Although no figures were disclosed, Yazeen said: "There's a slight increase this year that is proportionate to the fact that clubs can sign an extra foreign player."
For the new season, clubs will be allowed to increase their squad size from 25 to 28, with the additional three players not restricted by age.
Last year, the local clubs were limited to two foreign signings, but are now allowed to sign an additional foreigner under the age of 21.
Tampines Rovers chairman Desmond Ong welcomed the changes, and said: "Any additional subsidy is greatly welcomed given the fact that the clubs run on tight budgets.
"But it remains to be seen how the clubs playing in AFC (Asian Football Confederation) competitions will perform if they abide by the SPL rules and take to the field with three local Under-23 players and one foreign Under-21 player."
FA Cup Roundup: Manchester United, Chelsea through to next round with easy wins Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed his fifth successive victory since being named interim manager as his much-changed side beat second-tier strugglers Reading 2-0 at home in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Manchester United see off Arsenal to maintain Solskjær's
No pats on backs for City after rout: Pep, Football News
National sports agency Sport Singapore (SportSG) announced on Sunday that they have penned a three-year partnership with Bayern Munich. As a result of this tie-up, both the parties involved will
Bayern Munich announce 3-year partnership with Sport
Manchester City could be transfer banned for a year, and that's good news for Tottenham. New But now imagine for a second that City indeed will have a two-window transfer ban. That changes
Will Manchester City be banned from next season's Champions
Klopp said the group and fans needed to accept on the off chance that they are to end a 29-year dry spell for an alliance title. "We are attempting to keep this fantasy alive and right now it's everything great. Be that as it may, Chelsea are an extremely troublesome group and they are in a decent minute," Klopp included.
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention for
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk | New Straits
Southgate urges England to make 2019 even better Gareth Southgate has challenged his vibrant young England side to build on a year to remember after they clinched a place in the Nations League semi-finals in dramatic style.
Marco Silva unaware of any offers for Abel Hernandez | Daily
Ronaldo and Messi (442oons Parody) Play all Every 442oons video featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi parodies, Cristaino Arrogantaldo and Lionel Mess-1 2:01
Football News -ZURICH (REUTERS) - Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is facing disciplinary action for his celebration after one of the three goals he scored in last week's 3-0 win over Atletico
Ronaldo Faces Disciplinary Hearing Over Goal Celebration
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes the club have raised the standard of the Premier League just as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus did in golf and Usain Bolt did in athletics. City won the title last season with 100 points and this year could retain it with 98 if they win their final three games, starting with Burnley on Sunday.
Guardiola says City, Liverpool have set new Premier League
Huddersfield manager Jan Siewert has backed Philip Billing after the club's Danish midfielder was subjected to "brainless" racist abuse on social media.
Huddersfield condemn racist abuse of Billing -football- my.t
Lucas Moura: From PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol. Tottenham's Brazilian forward Lucas celebrates the victory with teammates at the end of their Uefa Champions League semi-final second leg
Football: Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol
It's hard being Cristiano Ronaldo. He's won just about every individual honor, accolade and prize there is to win, as well as a fistful of league titles in England and Spain, more than a couple of
Ronaldo not sure whether he will stay or not - Ronaldo.com
Hatem wonder strike secures Qatar upset of South Korea. ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem scored with a stunning late strike as the 2022 World Cup hosts upset Son Heung-min's South Korea 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time on Friday.
Football: Hatem wonder strike secures Qatar upset of South
0 comments:
Post a Comment