The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has finally confirmed the worst kept secret – Brunei DPMM will not be part of the SIngapore Premier League when the current season ends.
According to the FAS, the move comes following discussions between both parties.
“DPMM has been a respected member of the SPL and a valued partner in the development of regional football,” said the statement.
“Their staff and players have consistently displayed an exemplary sporting and the club’s impact on Singapore football will be long remebered,” said FAS general secretary Chew Chun-Liang.
The statement did not state that DPMM would be dumping the SPL to take part in the Malaysia Super League.
DPMM has had a chequered past while participating in the SPL.
They first joined the league in 2009 and won the League Cup soon after but was then forced to withdraw after the world body FIFA suspened the Brunei Football Association.
After the suspension was lifted, DPMM joined the league again in 2012 and won the title in 2015.
Over the years, DPMM was shopping around other local leagues in the region to be a part – from Thailand to Indonesia, and also Malaysia.
In 2021, they once again withdrew from the SPL due to travel restrictions and returned in 2023.
This time around, it is hoped that the exit is final and that any attempt to re-enter the league is rejected in future.
MAIN PHOTO: DPMM