The FAS Referees Department Engagement Session with SPL Club representatives, 7 August 2024.
SINGAPORE, 8 AUGUST 2024 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Referees Department conducted its first engagement session of the 2024/25 season with the Singapore Premier League (SPL) clubs on Wednesday, 7 August 2024. The initiative, which began in 2023, aims to enhance transparency in referees’ decision-making processes and to promote better collaboration between SPL teams and match officials.
The session took place at the FAS Headquarters in Jalan Besar Stadium and brought together Head Coaches, Team Managers, and Team Captains from the eight local based SPL clubs.
With the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in its second year of implementation in the SPL, this latest engagement session provided a review of VAR’s current impact on the league and examined the role of match officials in their administration of the system. The teams received a detailed overview of the VAR review process and had the opportunity to watch recordings of key match incidents reviewed by VAR.
Peter De Roo, Head Coach of Balestier Khalsa, highlighted the value of such engagement sessions: “I think it’s good to have a mutual discussion (between clubs and officials) in order to minimise mistakes. As it is, we know that the referees and VAR have a tough job and mistakes will happen over the course of the season. So, it’s good that we have these sessions continued from last year to ensure there is continuous dialogue between all stakeholders.”
Balestier Khalsa Head Coach Peter de Roo speaking during the engagement session, 7 August 2024.
BG Tampines Rovers captain Syazwan Buhari gained valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the VAR system during the session. He remarked, “As someone on the outside, I hadn’t fully grasped the complexities involved in a VAR check or decision. This engagement session has helped me appreciate that the role of the match official involves much more than I initially thought.”
Another key topic of discussion during the session was how clubs can take a more proactive approach towards elevating the quality of match officials in the SPL.
Sukhbir Singh, Head (Development), Referees, called on clubs to support match officials by providing opportunities for their development. He stated, “We hope clubs will be receptive to involving players in the development of match officials as we work to enhance their standards. Engagement sessions like these are vital for strengthening the relationship between SPL clubs and the refereeing fraternity.”
Sukhbir Singh, Head (Development), Referees, speaking during the engagement session, 7 August 2024.
Mohd Noor Ali, Head Coach of Geylang International, expressed his support for the initiative. He said, “It would be beneficial if clubs could assist the Referees Department in creating opportunities for the improvement of match officials in the league as it would translate to the betterment of the league.”
The FAS Referees Department and SPL Club representatives, 7 August 2024.
The FAS Referees Department, in collaboration with the Competitions Department, plans to hold several such engagement sessions during the extended SPL 2024/25 season.
