http://www.agri-biz.com/Singlenews.aspx?DirID=107&rec_code=715524
31 March 11 The Strait Times
by Terrence Voon & Fabius Chen
Footballers in the red
ONE player had his car repossessed. Another resorted to loan sharks to pay off his debts. A third bought an expensive LCD television set, only to give it up after he could not keep up with payments.
These are tales that are repeated all too often in the S-League. Dazzled by their pay packet and new-found status as a professional player, some young footballers here pursue a lifestyle they cannot afford, and end up mired in debt.
Yesterday, it was reported that
Home United goalkeeper Siddiq Durimi had his contract terminated after he failed to show up for training for three weeks. The 22-year-old reportedly suffered from financial problems.
His plight is not unique. Officials and players told The Straits Times yesterday that young players, in particular, are the most vulnerable.
'To say the problem doesn't exist is a lie,' said Singapore Armed Forces FC general manager Kok Wai Leong, who has counselled several players with financial difficulties in the past.
One player, he recalled, had his
saloon car repossessed by creditors just a year after buying it, because he could not keep up with the monthly payments.
'It all boils down to spending beyond their means,' said Kok. 'They get their first salary, and they buy luxury goods on credit. Some buy a car or motorbike, others get married too early.'
According to the clubs, top S-League players who also feature in the national team are typically paid between $4,000 and $8,000. The average local player, however, takes home between $2,500 and $4,000. At some of the smaller clubs, some players are paid just $1,000 or less.
The desire to buy expensive items to keep up with well-off peers can be overwhelming, said a player who did not want to be named. In one case, loan sharks were hounding a player who had overspent on electronics and designer goods.
Hougang United chairman Bill Ng also recounted how
one of his players bought a 47-inch LCD TV set just because a teammate had one. In the end, he could not cough up the monthly instalments and the TV was repossessed by the store.
But Ng is most worried by the 'gambling culture' among some footballers.
'Some players think that betting can get them rich quick, but they end up with even bigger financial burdens,' he said.
To pay off their creditors, desperate players end up borrowing money from teammates, or ask for cash advances from their club. On its part, the Football Association of Singapore conducts regular talks on financial management for players and extends help on a case-by-case basis.
In the case of Tampines Rovers, chairman Teo Hock Seng has been known to extend personal loans to players.
The Stags' former team manager Syed Faruk, also reportedly
forked out $30,000 in recent years to help pay the traffic summonses incurred by winger Aliff Shafaein.
But there are instances where players run into hardship through no fault of their own, said Faruk. Some simply did not earn enough to support their families.
'We helped them by asking them to do extra coaching at the Tampines academy and earn extra money,' he said.
According to Balestier Khalsa vice-chairman S. Thavaneson, money woes can hit any Singaporean, not just footballers. The key concern, however, is that players in need of cash can become easy targets for illegal bookmakers and match-fixers.
'Anybody who is in a financial rut is very vulnerable... which is why clubs must always keep an eye on players in such situations,' he cautioned.
SAFFC striker
Indra Sahdan Daud, 32, who once earned $10,000 a month as the S-League's best-paid player, knows only too well about the urge to splurge.
'
I used to spend all my money,' he said. 'Looking back, I should have saved it instead. Football is not a long career, so you've got to save as much as you can.'