FAS turns down Medan Chiefs

Football: FAS turns down Medan Chiefs' application to play in Singapore Cup

The Football Association of Singapore has turned down an application by Indonesian side Medan Chiefs to play in the Singapore Cup.

The Chiefs, who participate in the Indonesian Premier League (LPI), had hoped that the presence of several former S.League players in their set-up would boost their application.

But in response to MediaCorp's queries, the FAS on Tuesday night said: "FAS would only extend an invitation to foreign teams to participate in any of our competitions if these teams are affiliated to the member associations of the country the foreign team is based in, in compliance with FIFA regulations."

The LPI is a breakaway league that was set up to rival the Indonesian Super League.

Teams in the LPI are not sanctioned by the Indonesian Football Association, while world governing body FIFA have yet to rule on their status.

The Singapore Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 8, with the final on November 5.

Featuring all 12 S.League sides and four invited teams from around the region, the 2010 edition saw Australia's South Melbourne, Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown, Kitchee FC of Hong Kong and Thai side Bangkok Glass competing in the Cup, with Bangkok Glass making history as the first foreign side to lift the trophy.

Chiefs head coach Jorg Steinebrunner, who has played and coached in the S.League, told MediaCorp earlier that club chairman Sihar Sitorus had submitted an application to the FAS and was hopeful of a favourable response.

"If they are interested in football and bringing excitement to the stadiums, they'd consider our application. The fans would be interested in the familiar faces we have in our team too," said the former Woodlands Wellington coach.

The Chiefs boast seven former S.League players and coaches. Apart from national skipper Shahril Ishak, defender Baihakki Khaizan and coach Steinebrunner, they also have Moroccan Laakkad Abdelhadi and Chilean Luis Hicks (both formerly of Woodlands), ex-Etoile midfielder Kevin Yann and former Woodlands fitness coach Joseph D'Angelus.

-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-