FAS admits ‘significant refereeing error’ during SPL match between Sailors and Albirex

SINGAPORE – Defending champions Albirex Niigata’s goal during their recent 7-1 Singapore Premier League (SPL) thrashing by the Lion City Sailors should have been disallowed, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) admitted in a statement on July 3.

Albirex striker Shuhei Hoshino was clearly in an offside position when Arshad Shamim crossed the ball to him during the match at the Bishan Stadium on June 23.

However, Hoshino’s 21st-minute header, which made it 1-1, was allowed to stand by the on-field referee and assistant referee.

The video assistant referee (VAR) team, who were supposed to spot clear and obvious errors, also failed to intervene.

The “significant refereeing error” was acknowledged after a review by the FAS Referee Department, which has meted out disciplinary actions against the officials involved.

VAR protocols have also been reviewed to prevent a repeat of the incident, but the match outcome will stand.

While the error did not stop the Sailors from winning the match, it could still have implications on the title race, should it come down to goal difference.

The Sailors currently top the SPL table on 13 points after five matches, level with second-placed BG Tampines Rovers, who are behind only by a goal difference of two.

In a club statement, the Sailors said that they appreciated the FAS’ efforts in conducting a thorough investigation and reviewing internal processes to prevent a similar incident from happening again.

“We fully recognise the huge responsibilities that match officials have and are very mindful of the intricacies that come with their roles,” the statement added.

Albirex general manager Koh Mui Tee told The Straits Times: “We leave it to FAS to do their job. Whatever their decision is, we will take it.”

Calling the goal a “clear offside”, Sailors fan and undergraduate Ernest Cheong, 23, said: “(There’s) nothing much to debate there. It’s quite funny to note that Albirex still have the goal footage posted on their social media at this time.”

In a separate statement, FAS said that it has fined the Sailors’ technical director Luka Lalic $5,000 for an “inappropriate social media post which disparaged FAS match officials” that was made after the match in question.

The statement said: “Mr Luka acknowledges that he could have acted differently to communicate his views on these topics in a more effective manner. He has expressed regret for his actions.”

The Sailors said separately that they are aware that a club official had posted about the incident on his personal social media page, and that it has been taken down and is no longer accessible. The club have also taken disciplinary action against the official.

Checks by ST found that Lalic’s Instagram and X accounts are set to private.

“While the post was not intended to unfairly criticise, the official has acknowledged it was inappropriate for him to air his views through social media and understands that feedback should be submitted through the proper channels,” added the Sailors’ statement.