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FAS elections: Team Game Changers loses one individual candidate

SINGAPORE — Team Game Changers, led by Hougang United chairman Bill Ng, will have to enter the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) elections on April 29 without one of its individual candidates after freelance writer Suresh Nair had his appeal to run in the landmark polls rejected on Tuesday (April 11).

Former journalist Suresh Nair, an individual candidate from Team Game Changers, had his appeal rejected by the Ad Hoc Electoral Appeal Committee.

Former journalist Suresh Nair, an individual candidate from Team Game Changers, had his appeal rejected by the Ad Hoc Electoral Appeal Committee.

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SINGAPORE — Team Game Changers, led by Hougang United chairman Bill Ng, will have to enter the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) elections on April 29 without one of its individual candidates after freelance writer Suresh Nair had his appeal to run in the landmark polls rejected on Tuesday (April 11).

However, the team's two other individual candidates - Lai Boon Teck and Jeffrey Sim - as well as independent candidate Kumar Appavoo were given the green light to run.

Lai, Sim, Suresh, and Kumar - running for FAS council member seats - had failed the Electoral Committee's eligibility and integrity tests last week. One candidate - Moklas Ma'arof - withdrew from the contest. Candidates who submitted appeals were informed of the Ad Hoc Electoral Appeal Committee's decision on Tuesday, with Lai, Sim and Appavoo's appeals approved, while Suresh did not get the go-ahead.

Game Changers spokesman Steven Tan expressed disappointment with the decision on Suresh, particularly as no reasons were given for the rejection.

"As this is the first election of its kind in Singapore football, it is in the interests of all concerned that the rules governing the FAS election be reviewed in consultation with Fifa, so that we are left in no doubt about the processes, pre-qualifications, ethics and recourse actions in case of doubt or dispute," he said.

However, Tan stressed that the rejection is not a setback for the team. They will unveil their manifesto in a media conference tomorrow, and Tan added: "Team Game Changers remains focused and committed to the task at hand - the April 29 FAS Elections."

Former journalist Suresh also took aim at the Appeal Committee on Tuesday, pointing out that they had dismissed his appeal "rather unbelievably, without a reason or an explanation".

Suresh had failed initial checks due to integrity issues, and sources told TODAY that a Singapore Pools betting account in his name showed betting activity on local matches during a period when he was a referee assessor with the FAS. This is understood to have been from 2010 to 2013.

He had also indicated "No" in the Declaration of Integrity Form for nominated candidates, which asked if he had participated directly or indirectly in betting activity. Suresh insisted that he was not guilty of any wrongdoing.

"I've already explained (this before) to Tan Soo Nan (former FAS vice-president), I spoke to Winston Lee (FAS general secretary), and they accepted it and continued to allow me to be a referee assessor," said Suresh, who will be seeking legal advice on the matter.

"As far as I'm aware, the FAS Electoral Committee raised a matter which had already been dealt with previously. This being the first democratic FAS election ever, it sets a very undesirable precedent where candidates can simply be disqualified without being told why they were.

"Having said that, (I will) take it on the chin. I will wholeheartedly support Game Changers as I believe a real change is what football needs here, and Bill Ng's team can provide that refreshing alternative."

The FAS did not respond to TODAY's queries on the committee's decision, and a spokesman said in a statement: "... The Final Official List of Candidates for the Election of the FAS Council will be made known at least 10 days prior to the date of the Election of the FAS Council which will take place on April 29, 2017." TEO TENG KIAT

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