The S.League’s player-monitoring procedures will come under scrutiny
The Great Eastern-Yeo’s S.League will have it’s monitoring procedures assessed after two clubs fielded ineligible players this season.
Reigning champions Tampines Rovers were penalised on Saturday for fielding new signing Ruzaini Zainal in the 1-0 victory over Harimau Muda on 3 July, while Courts Young Lions had their first four matches recorded as 0-3 defeats in March.
Zainal had already collected three yellow cards for FC Warriors before a mid-season switch to Tampines where he picked up a fourth booking on his debut, which should have incurred a one-match suspension.
However, it’s thought the club weren’t notified as to the 24-year-old’s ineligibility by league officials prior to the match in Pasir Gudang and tha process will now come under increasing scrutiny.
“The error occurred when the number of yellow cards accumulated by Ruzaini was not monitored properly by both the S.League and Tampines,” a spokesman for the league told Asia One.
“The S.League has taken immediate steps to review the processes and work closely with the clubs to prevent a recurrence.”
Tampines’ case echoed that of the Young Lions after they used players who were yet to receive the necessary national service clearance.
But Stags coach Tay Peng Kee did concede that administrative diligence from the club would have flagged up Zainal’s ineligibility well before the game.
“It is our responsibility to track the players’ bookings,” the former Singapore international said.
“But the mistake has been made and there’s nothing we can do.”
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