Football coaches suspended, fined for altercation in Singapore Youth League match
SINGAPORE – A tense Singapore Youth League (SYL) match between Balestier Khalsa and Lion City Sailors on August 24 led to disciplinary action against both teams’ coaches by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
In videos shared by The Monitor SG on August 25 and 27, players from both sides were seen engaging in a physical altercation during the match, which the Sailors won 3-1. The situation escalated when players on the bench and coaches also got involved, including Balestier Under-17s coach Ali Imran Lomri, who was seen being restrained by officials during a heated exchange with Sailors coach Jasni Hatta. Despite receiving red cards during the game, both coaches were involved in another altercation after the final whistle.
Following an FAS review, it was determined that both Ali and Jasni had “acted in a manner unbecoming of their roles as ambassadors of their respective clubs and the SYL.” As a result, Ali received a two-match ban for his sending-off offense, along with an additional one-match suspension and a $500 fine for his aggressive conduct during the match. Jasni was handed a suspended $500 fine, conditional on his behavior until December 31, for using inappropriate language that contributed to the confrontation.
In a statement to The Straits Times, an FAS spokesman emphasized the seriousness of the incident, particularly within youth competitions where players and coaches are expected to serve as role models. “As an organization, we are committed to ensuring that professionalism and respect remain at the forefront of the sport, especially in competitions designed to nurture the next generation of football talent,” he said. He also mentioned that ongoing education and sanctions would be implemented to safeguard the integrity of the league.
Ali Imran's Reflection and Apology
For former Singapore international Ali Imran Lomri, the aftermath of the incident brought a moment of deep reflection. Speaking to The Straits Times on September 24, the 48-year-old coach admitted his regret: “I shouldn’t have reacted, but I just snapped. After reflecting on my actions, I feel ashamed and disgusted with myself.”
Ali acknowledged that as a Balestier Khalsa coach, he is responsible for upholding the club’s code of conduct and serving as a role model for his players. “I made a big mistake that I’m not proud of. I am sorry and apologize to everyone for my reactions, and I will ensure this never happens again,” he added.
Club's Response and Additional Punishments
While the Lion City Sailors declined to comment on the matter, Balestier Khalsa’s leadership took a firm stance. Tigers vice-chairman Darwin Jalil released a video statement imposing an additional $1,000 fine on Ali, supervised coaching under Balestier’s head of youth Indra Sahdan, and professional counseling to ensure he does not repeat such behavior in the future. Jalil expressed hope that Ali would take these measures seriously and acknowledged his long-standing service to the club, saying, “I hope this is an isolated incident and it will never happen again.”
Ali, who began his playing career with Balestier in 1998 and earned 12 caps for Singapore, admitted to tarnishing the club’s reputation and accepted his punishment. He shared that he apologized to his players three days after the incident and expressed gratitude to his family and friends for their support.
Reflecting on the incident, Ali concluded, “I’ve learned to never react to provocation. Emotions can take over, and you end up doing things you regret. I hold no grudge against Jasni, and I believe he didn’t intend to say what he did in the heat of the moment. I will come back stronger, both as a person and a coach.”