The suspension followed his conviction in the Subordinate Courts for helping then team-mate Michal Vana in a conspiracy to fix matches in the FAM Premier League competition.
Abbas had appealed to the FAS to lift this suspension imposed on him.
Criteria for lifting the suspension
In reaching this decision, the Council took into account the following factors:
A.The circumstances, including the nature and extent, of the violation.
B.The punishment meted out by the court.
C.The character and the contributions of Abbas Saad
The brief facts of the case are as follows. Abbas' involvement in the criminal conspiracy arose from his agreement with Vana to score goals for Singapore. He did not benefit in monetary terms and was considered by the Court to have played a minimal role in the criminal conspiracy. He pulled out from the arrangement after 3 games. Abbas was a first offender who, unlike other players convicted of football corruption in Singapore, was not jailed but only fined. Abbas was a key player when he represented Singapore in the FAM Semi-Pro League, FAM Premier League and the Malaysia Cup competitions for three seasons in 1990, 1993 and 1994, especially in helping the Lions achieve a double in 1994 when Singapore won both the FAM Premier League and Malaysia Cup.
The Council noted the remarks of the former Honourable Chief Justice Yong Pung How who, in another case, said
"have also considered the sentence meted out in PP v. Abbas Saad. There, the accused was only fined $50,000 and no custodial sentence was imposed. However, the facts of that case were completely different and the accuser’s involvement there was minor. He also did not receive anything and was motivated by nothing more than a desire to help his friend.”
The Council noted that Abbas has already served almost 14 years of suspension and has kept a clean record since. Having studied the appeal very carefully, the Council was of the view that, considering all the circumstances, it is an appropriate time to lift the suspension imposed on Abbas, with immediate effect.
Background
Abbas Saad played for Singapore in two spells – first in 1990 and then from 1993 to 1994 – in the FAM Semi-Pro League, FAM Premier League and Malaysia Cup competitions. He also turned out for Johor in 1991 and 1992. Abbas was capped at senior international level for Australia and turned out for them in two World Cup qualifying campaigns.
On June 1995, he was found guilty for his part in helping then team-mate Michal Vana in a conspiracy to fix results in the FAM Premier League competition.
Abbas was implicated when he agreed to help Vana to win games for Singapore by scoring goals. He never received any money and pulled out after three matches. On the whole, Abbas played a minor role. He was a first-time offender.
In imposing only a fine instead of imprisonment, District Judge Mr Khoo Oon Soo pointed out that Abbas was a “secondary conspirator’ unlike previous football corruption cases. The learned Judge cited two previous cases involving ‘primary conspirators who were given stiff sentences as follows: the first was imprisoned for 18 months and fined $40,000, whilst the second was imprisoned for 30 months and fined $40,000.
FAS subsequently imposed a life ban on Abbas from participating in all football activities in Singapore. The ban was extended to a world-wide ban by FIFA. FIFA lifted this world-wide ban after one year.
Abbas then resumed his playing career in Australia till 2003 before hanging up his boots. He then turned to coaching. Today, he is a certified and qualified coach, having received coaching certificates at the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Levels from the Football Federation of Australia (FFA).
His expertise is in youth development. He was recently appointed the Youth Coaching Director at Sydney Olympic FC. He is also the National Head Coach of deaf football Australia, as well as head coach of Trinity Grammar School.
Looking Forward
Abbas has expressed his interest and desire to return to Singapore to contribute to Singapore football in the future.
Says Abbas, “I am grateful and thank FAS for giving me this second chance.
“I acknowledge that Singapore has strict laws. I am determined to erase this dark incident of my life forever and look forward to starting a new chapter for the better, to make good back in Singapore to all the football supporters who have given me so much love and support during my playing days.
“I look forward to contributing to the development of Singapore football.”
Says FAS General Secretary Winston Lee, "Considering all the circumstances of the case, it is timely now to lift the ban. We believe that he can contribute to the further development of Singapore football. However, this does not mean that FAS is softening its tough stand against football corruption. Once again, we reiterate our tough stand against any form of football corruption and our firm commitment to weeding out this scourge from the game. We will remain ever-vigilant and will press on with measures to detect and punish wrongdoers.”
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