After Singapore was demolished 0-7 by neighbours Malaysia in a SEA Games football match recently, emotions ran high.
Singaporean fans vented their outrage over social media, and one of the targets was Mr Bernard Tan, Acting President of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
Replying to one netizen, Mr Tan appeared to challenge him to a “face to face” meeting.
Source: Football Association of Singapore on Facebook
He has since apologised for the way he responded.
In the aftermath of the demoralising defeat, an Instagram user commented on Mr Tan’s account, telling him to “resign now” as he was “not worthy of the paycheck”.
Unexpectedly, Mr Tan replied directly to the comment, retorting that he doesn’t get paid for this role.
He also made the netizen a “one-time offer” — instead of abusing him online, he can abuse him “face to face”.
Source: Reddit
The FAS Acting President asked the user to meet up, inviting him to arrange this over email, also saying,
I will leave your comment for 24 hours. After which I will delete you. It’s my wall.
Without directly replying to the challenge, the netizen warned that the game would “die” if things went on like this.
Fans apparently didn’t take well to Mr Tan’s response.
The SingaBrigade fan page on Facebook posted that his response was “shocking” as it was “totally overflowing with sarcasm with no sense of being contrite”.
Source: SingaBrigade on Facebook
A commenter on Reddit appeared to compare his challenge to how people would dare their rivals to “settle [their problems] outside”, referring to physical combat.
Source: Reddit
However, another netizen seemed to be more understanding, saying that “tensions were high”. Nonetheless, they thought the challenge was a “bad idea”.
Source: Reddit
Netizens have since pointed out that Mr Tan has made his Instagram account private. His bio or profile information simply says “Sorry.”
Source: Bernard Tan on Instagram
Before doing so, however, he gave a fuller apology in a post on Friday (12 May), reported Channel NewsAsia (CNA).
He said the mauling by Malaysia was “one of the worst nights in our history” and led to “emotions running high”.
Mr Tan also pointed to “abuse” from “unfamiliar accounts” on his social media, saying he regretted responding.
He apologised deeply for that, adding,
I hold myself to a higher standard. I am human. I was hurting too.
As for his apparent challenge, he explained that he has always wanted to be more open. This includes meeting people privately.
However, FAS has advised him that engagement with stakeholders was “best done in formal organised settings”.
During these sessions, which will take place over the next two weeks, “tough questions” will be asked, he said.
He will handle such questions “openly”, he added.
Mr Tan, 56, has been Acting President of FAS since September 2022.
He took the helm under sad circumstances, after previous President Lim Kia Tong passed away suddenly due to a heart attack.
At the time, Mr Tan was Deputy President and had been so since 2017. The association decided on him as the Acting President till the election of a new one, likely during this year’s Congress.
Source: Football Association of Singapore on Facebook
The former Brigadier-General spent 22 years in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) before retiring, according to TODAY.
Since then, he has served in senior roles at ST Engineering and Asia Pulp & Paper (APP).
He’s also the country president of the Sinar Mas Group, APP’s parent firm.
The defeat to Malaysia capped off a miserable SEA Games campaign for Singapore’s footballers.
Source: Football Association of Malaysia on Facebook
It was reportedly their worst defeat at the Games since 1971.
They also exited the competition at rock bottom of their group, failing to register a single win.
Source: Football Association of Malaysia on Facebook
In view of the disappointing results, it’s understandable that many Singaporeans are upset. But as the saying goes, once you’re at the bottom, the only way is up.
Let’s hope the team is able to overcome this devastating performance and work on getting better in their subsequent matches.
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Featured image adapted from the Football Association of Singapore on Facebook and Reddit.
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