Lions XII midfielder Firdaus Kasman has been suspended by the FAS for breaching its code of conduct with immediate effect until further notice.
Firdaus was found guilty of breaching the team’s code of conduct for consumption of alcohol. According to a statement issued by the FAS, the consumption of alcohol by Firdaus was to an extent that he required assistance from a friend to go to the toilet to vomit. The FAS sees this breach of conduct as bringing negative publicity, embarrassment or disrepute to the organization while tarnishing the image of Singapore and the FAS.
Firdaus is also under investigation by the police after being detained along with his friend. According to the press release by the FAS, they were detained with relation to a case of suspected theft that the footballer has denied. His detention was also the reason why he was missing from training on the 5th of February 2012.
Firdaus has since expressed his regret and apologized for the incident in the following personal statement.
“I would like to apologise sincerely to the Football Association of Singapore, the coaches and players of the LionsXII, my fans, family and loved ones for breaching the Football Association of Singapore Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics for LionsXII players. I deeply regret my action and I will accept the punishment meted out by the FAS Disciplinary Committee.
“As for the alleged offence, the case is currently under investigation and I am unable to make any comment. I will however like to add that I did not engage in any act which constitutes an offence. I will cooperate fully with the authorities in this matter and I am confident that the true facts of the case will be established soon.”
The FAS will be conducting an internal investigation on the issue and punishment maybe meted out by the FAS Disciplinary Committee while the association has refused to comment on the police investigation on Firdaus Kasman pending the outcome of the investigation.