A Singapore Youth League coach, who is understood to be suspended from coaching by the Football Association of Singapore and the National Registry of Coaches which is administered by Sport Singapore, has continued to be seen coaching and providing directions to players at matches.
The coach is suspended on account of allegations of sexual misconduct against his players, first exposed by TMSG in June.
See story below.
This is despite an ongoing police investigations and a statement by Sport Singapore’s Safe Sport Commission that “We take a serious view of any misconduct that threatens the core values of sport and undermines the mental and physical health of participants.”
“The Safe Sport Commission will assess if a potential breach of the Safe Sport Unified Code has occurred and following that, commence formal investigations where appropriate,” the statement read on 23 June.
However, in recent weeks, TMSG can confirm that the coach who is under police investigations has been at venues, and has also continued to perform coaching duties.
A coach from another team sent TMSG this photo which shows the coach at the venue, just one week after being told by a match commissioner to refrain from entering the field of play area.
He has also posted photos on himself with the players, which have been posted on social media, in what appears to be blatant disregard for the allegations which are ongoing.
In addition, a club from a neighbouring country has also stated on social media that they will be sending at least five players to train with the team.
TMSG has not named the club and the coach concerned yet, and we are pending legal advice on whether we can proceed to name the alleged perpetrator given that there are potential minors involved.
NEW DM TO TMSG ON 23 AUGUST
On 23 August, TMSG received another DM via Instagram.
See below.
WHAT NOW?
Given the allegations against the coach, questions need to be asked if the FAS or Sport SG have reached out to the parents of the other players in the club to inform them of an active investigation into the coach.
If this has not been done to protect the players and to keep the families informed, the question is why not?
The players who are still at the club, and the parents of these children need to be aware of what investigations are ongoing, and that the coach has been suspended pending clearance.
If there is no legal bite to stop the alleged perpetrator from being in contact with the players, surely there must be avenues to let the parents of these children be aware of what are the allegations being levelled against the coach, and what is being done in the process.
The responsibility is then left to the parents to decide on the next course of action, while investigations are ongoing.
If there is no bite from both FAS and Sport SG in this regard, then the ongoing incident leaves the risk of the Safe Sport Commission being labeled as nothing but a paper exercise.
PHOTOS: TMSG