Singapore Premier League matches postponed as mark of respect for late FAS president Lim Kia Tong

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Premier League (SPL) has postponed its next round of matches as a mark of respect following the death of Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Lim Kia Tong.

The four games - as part of Matchweek 25 - would have been played on Friday (Sep 16) evening and Saturday afternoon.

The matches will now be moved to Oct 21 and Oct 22 to cap off the 2022 season, SPL and FAS said in a press release on Wednesday.

SPL football will resume on Oct 1, with Tanjong Pagar United taking on the Young Lions and Tampines Rovers facing Geylang International.

All other domestic league fixtures that would have taken place between Wednesday and Sep 22 have also been called off and rescheduled. This affects the Singapore Football League 2, Island Wide League, Women’s National League and Centre of Excellence Under-17 League.

"Further updates on all these affected fixtures will be provided in due course" said SPL and FAS.

SPL clubs have paid tribute to Mr Lim, expressing their shock and grief. 

In a post on Facebook, the Lion City Sailors said that they were "shocked and saddened" to hear of Mr Lim's passing. 

"Extending our deepest condolences to the family during their time of grief," said fellow top-flight side Hougang United.

In a club statement posted on Facebook, Tampines Rovers said it is deeply saddened by Mr Lim's death.

"We extend our sincere condolences to his family, and along with the Singapore footballing fraternity, thank him for his service to local football," it said.

Geylang International sent its condolences to Mr Lim's family in a Facebook post: "Geylang International stands with the Football Association of Singapore and wider Singapore football family in mourning the loss of its president Mr Lim Kia