July 16, 2004
Despite the ending of the S-league
transfer window on July 12, there is still an ongoing tussle for 1 player by 3
S-league clubs
Geylang United, Home United & the
Young Lions are at the moment waiting the outcome of Lionel Lewis as the matter have been brought up to the FAS Player
status committee.
When Lionel Lewis was called up by the Young Lions, he still had 11-months
left on his contract with the Eagles & it was widely expected he will serve
it after his stint with the Young Lions is over.
Then a twist in the story as Lionel Lewis was called up for NS & he
was deployed to the Police Forces so he decided to sign on as a regular with
the Police Forces. With that Lewis also signed a contract with Home United as a
player as he is only eligible to play for Home United but the Young Lions
management refused to release him to play for the Protectors as they want him
to continue with the Young Lions.
In the interest of building a future nation team, the Protectors have agreed
but they want him to play for them next season especially if they are in
It is not likely to happen though as the Young Lions future coach Raddy still want him to stay for the 2005 season as the
Young Lions would be building for the SEA Games & Lionel Lewis is eligible
for the U23 competition.
As if that not messy enough, the Eagles got in on the plot when they want
the Protectors to pay compensation for the 11-months Lionel Lewis still have left
on his contract since he had signed a contract with the Protectors.
However the Protectors are not considering that as they have counter
Lionel Lewis owed the Eagles nothing as it appeared there is written proof from Lewis that the
Eagles agreed to release him to serve the 11 months with the Young Lions.
Nevertheless the Eagles are confident they will get an amount of
compensation from Home United.
Certainly a messy affair & one which will have to
wait for FAS Player status committee to rule on.