The Singapore Cup format announced by the Football Association of Singapore has raised eyebrows.
Information about the format had already made its way out after a briefing was held with clubs.
Here is the beef.
Both Lion City Sailors and Tampines Rovers have a bye directly into the semi-finals based on “sporting merit”.
All other teams, save Young Lions which will sit out because of the Southeast Asian Games, will play a single round robin format with each team playing four matches.
So apart from Sailors and Tampines, all the five other teams will need to play four matches before meeting Sailors and Tampines with the semi-finals to be held over two legs.
How is this fair?
What sporting merit is the FAS going on about?
Should they not be talking about sporting fairness?
The group stage will take place from 1 November to 7 December, with a scheduled break between 10 and 18 November to accommodate the FIFA international window.
The Singapore Cup semi-final first and second legs will be held on 14 and 20 December 2025 respectively, culminating in the Cup Final at the newly re-opened Jalan Besar Stadium on 10 January 2026.
Observers who spoke to TMSG have decried the move.
“All teams except the Sailors and Tampines have to play four additional matches before heading into the semi-finals,” said a senior official.
“The important word here is fairness. How is this a fair competition?
“The leadership and the director of competitions should explain where they adopted this format from.”
MAIN PHOTO: FAS