Forrest Li set to be FAS president after opponent's team disqualified from elections

Tech billionaire and Lion City Sailors chairman Forrest Li is set to be the new Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president after his opponent, former Balestier Khalsa vice-chairman Darwin Jalil and his team were deemed ineligible to participate in the upcoming elections.

In a letter from the FAS Electoral Appeal Committee, seen by The Straits Times on April 17, Darwin's team, who are called "Football First" and comprise nine candidates for president, deputy president, vice-presidents (four) and council members (three), were disqualified due to the ineligibility of one candidate.

ST understands that two of their nine initial candidates failed the integrity checks, and they had till April 10 to submit the forms for replacements. However, one of their replacements - Neo Ghim Chye - was subsequently rejected by the FAS Elections Appeals Committee.

An appeal was made, but it was unsuccessful. According to the rules, the ineligibility of one candidate means that the entire slate will not be able to contest the elections.

Li and his team have passed the necessary checks, ST understands.

When contacted, Darwin confirmed that his team has been disqualified.

He said: "I am very disappointed with the outcome. We are stepping forward to serve as volunteers, and we felt we had a diverse skill set to elevate the game. It is disappointing not to let the electorate vote, but I offer my best support to Forrest.

"It is exciting times for Singapore football regardless of who wins because the only way for Singapore football is up."

Darwin said that Neo, who is the president of the ITE Alumni Association, was put forward as a candidate for the deputy president role but was deemed not to have had enough contributions to sport.

The FAS constitution states that all candidates for the office of the deputy president must have played an active role, either in association football, or an official within Fifa, a confederation, an association, or an active role in the management of sport in general, or a sport in particular for two of the last five years.

Darwin said that the appeals committee did not deem Neo eligible despite the fact that he has served for over a decade as ITE alumni president, and has promoted and organised various bowling and golf events.

He added: "It is unfortunate that the electoral committee sees involvement in sports differently from what we see. Neo has been very active in promoting sports within his alumni and the events they have. The process does not allow us to put forward these arguments."

Qualified candidates for the elections will be announced by the FAS on April 18, 10 days before the extraordinary congress to choose the office bearers for the 2025 to 2029 term.

ST has contacted the FAS for comment.

With Darwin and his team out of the elections, Li looks set to take over local football's top post from outgoing president Bernard Tan, who is not seeking re-election.

The founder of homegrown tech firm Sea Limited, Li reportedly has a net worth of US$8.6 billion (S$11.3 billion). He was third among Singapore's richest in Forbes' annual list of global billionaires released on April 1.

Since Sea's investment, Singapore Premier League club Sailors have breathed new life into local football. They made history on April 16, becoming the first football team from Singapore to reach the final of a continental competition after they beat Australian side Sydney FC in a two legged semi-final to reach the Asian Champions League Two final.