The Problem with S.League Club Structure: A Case for Incorporating Singapore Football Clubs as Companies

Abstract

In Singapore, football clubs are registered under the Registry of Societies Act which means that the management board is engaged under a voluntary arrangement with no salaries paid. This casual leadership arrangement has resulted in poorly managed local football clubs, operating on many considerations that do not involve the core business of football, with decisions regularly made at the expense of football performance. If local football clubs were able to operate as companies instead, management and administration would vastly improve and, consequently, the quality of football, fan retention and youth development would all trend upwards. As ownership will become a key feature and be taken seriously under such circumstances, regardless of whether the club is succeeding or failing, there is everything to gain and nothing to lose for Singapore football clubs to be incorporated as companies.