Singapore – Singapore Premier League (SPL) referees Jansen Foo and Abhirami Naidu have been removed from their assignments for two and four matches respectively, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced in a statement on February 24.
The decision was made after the referees, with Fu as the referee and Abirami as the video assistant referee (VAR), did not send off Lion City Sailors midfielder Kyomasa Nakamura during the match.
SPL leaders draw 1-1 with BG Tampines Rovers
on February 22 at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Officials’ reinstatement on the SPL roster is contingent upon successful completion of remedial training and performance evaluation requirements, FAS added.
Thirty-seven minutes into the game, Nakamura appeared to hit Takeshi Yoshimoto in the face with his elbow as he jumped up for a high ball. Referee Fu waved only a yellow card, but Yoshimoto was unable to continue and was forced to be substituted.
In a statement posted on the SPL’s website, the FAS said its refereeing technical committee “unanimously determined that the on-field decision was incorrect.”
He added: “Although both the referee and VAR clearly saw the incident, the situation was not assessed in line with the intended application of the Laws of the Game.”
“This action met the criteria for a serious foul and warranted a red card. Nakamura should have been sent off for that offense. Additionally, in accordance with established VAR protocols, VAR should have intervened and recommended an on-field review.”
During an SPL match on February 22nd, Kyomasa Nakamura apparently elbowed Takeshi Yoshimoto in the face while aiming for a high ball.
ST photo: Shintaro Tei
“It was a bad call and could have changed the game. We paid the price for that mistake,” Tampines interim manager Robert Eziakor said when contacted.
He praised the move by the FAS, saying: “The fact that the FAS is admitting their mistakes and doing something is progress. There is transparency in the decisions being made, which is what people want.”
“This decision is a good one as it also sends a message.” To all local referees Based on expected standards. ”
Shashi Kumar, a former league coach and player who served as a commentator for the Sailors vs. Tampines match, was pleased to see FAS’ swift action.
“It’s definitely good that action is being taken. There has to be accountability, especially when it comes to VAR. That was very clear,” Chassi said.
But he said the damage had already been done to the Stags.
“If we had one more player, Tampines might have continued to win and that could have affected the season,” Shashi said.
Abirami is listed as a FIFA video match official on the FAS website, and Fu is the highest level FIFA referee in the refereeing profession.
The country’s football association added that, in accordance with FAS referee regulations, the matter will be addressed internally with the relevant match officials and any necessary corrective and developmental measures will be taken.
It added: “Corrective action will be taken to ensure match officials are aware of such situations and apply the match rules consistently.”
The FAS noted that retrospective action could only be taken in cases of serious misconduct that match officials were unaware of or did not respond to at the time, so Nakamura will not face any further action.