Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Games
  • Team
  • Deliver TNP

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • MMA (MIXED MARTIAL ARTS)
Football

Asean Super League awaits Fifa's understanding and approval

CROWD-PULLER: Organisers believe the Asean Super League can attract huge fan and sponsor interest in football-mad South-east Asia. TNP FILE PHOTO

Shamir Osman
Sports Correspondent
Aug 12, 2014 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

The proposal for the inaugural Asean Super League (ASL) has been sent to Fifa, but until the world governing body understands the plan and approves it, organisers the Asean Football Federation (AFF) cannot kick off the competition.   

Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Zainudin Nordin heads the AFF sub-committee tasked with organising the ASL and, speaking to The New Paper yesterday, he revealed that 
the most immediate task was to answer Fifa's queries. 

"Fifa has come back with a clear response (to the proposal) and they have questions we have to answer to. We have to go through this process and once we get their approval, we can move forward," he said.  

The ASL is a proposal by the AFF and its marketing partners World Sport Group, and the regional competition will feature at least one club from each Asean country, with a targeted 16 to compete in the inaugural season.

With each club expected to spend around $6 million per year, organisers believe the ASL can attract huge fan and sponsor interest in football-mad South-east Asia.

TNP had earlier reported that the proposed kick- off could be postponed till the following year. 

 "Where we are now, it's a little bit of a challenge to think of (starting in) 2015, but we have to move forward," added Zainudin.

World Sport Group's chief executive, Andrew Georgiou, explained that Fifa's questioning was nothing out of the ordinary. 

"Fifa wants to know the details because this is a cross-border competition, and they are entitled to," he said.

CHALLENGE 

"The challenge in this region is to improve the quality of football, and it is for us to show how the league can improve that. 

"We now have to go through the process and engage Fifa."

In response to TNP queries, a Fifa spokesperson said: "At this stage, Fifa has been approached for guidance concerning this league."

The timeline for the AFF and its organising committee remains unclear. 

"The Fifa World Cup is just over, and we're always hoping (that this engagement over Fifa queries, happens sooner rather than later)," said Zainudin.

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

Shamir Osman

Sports Correspondent
shamiro@sph.com.sg
Read articles by Shamir Osman
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication
  • Newsmine -  Purchase this article as keepsake

Top Stories this Month

Police officer on life support after being hit by a car
Singapore

Mother-of-three dies four days after Maxwell Road accident

Feb 14, 2019
Police officer on life support after being hit by a car
Singapore

Mother-of-three dies four days after Maxwell Road accident

Feb 14, 2019
Cop hit by car is brain dead, to be taken off life support
Singapore

Cop's husband stays strong for their kids

Feb 15, 2019
Home
  • Contests
  • Games
  • Team
  • Deliver TNP
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • Subscribe to TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2019 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E