Tengah FC suspends players charged over Toa Payoh riot incident
Tengah Football Club has confirmed that several of its players were among 11 men charged with rioting with a deadly weapon in Toa Payoh on 24 August. The club said the players have been suspended with immediate effect pending investigations.
- Tengah FC confirmed some of its players were among those charged for rioting in Toa Payoh.
- The club has suspended the players involved and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward violence.
- Police arrested 13 individuals, with 11 men now facing charges of rioting with a deadly weapon.
SINGAPORE — Tengah Football Club (Tengah FC) has confirmed that several of its players were among the 11 men arrested and charged for rioting with a deadly weapon in Toa Payoh on 24 August.
In a Facebook statement issued on 1 September, the club said the players were immediately suspended from all footballing activities following confirmation of their involvement in the case.
Tengah FC stated that it upholds “a zero-tolerance stance against violence, gangsterism, or any conduct that brings disrepute to the sport or our community.”
Background on the incident
The Singapore Police Force reported that officers were alerted to a fight near Block 10B Lorong 7 Toa Payoh at about 10am on 24 August.
Thirteen individuals — 12 men and one woman aged between 21 and 34 — were arrested in connection with the incident.
Eleven men have since been charged with rioting while armed with a deadly weapon, an offence under Section 148 of the Penal Code that carries a potential jail term of up to 10 years and caning.
Court proceedings for most of the accused are scheduled for mention on 3 September.
Tengah FC’s disciplinary response
Tengah FC said the players concerned had been formally notified of their suspensions and that the club would await the outcome of police investigations before deciding on further disciplinary action.
The club reiterated that it expects all players and officials to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism both on and off the field.
Tengah FC and Singapore football structure
According to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) website, Tengah FC competes in Division 1 of the Singapore Football League (SFL) — the top tier of amateur football in the country.
The SFL is part of Singapore’s four-tier men’s football pyramid, sitting below the professional Singapore Premier League (SPL).
In February 2024, Tengah FC announced that it had received in-principle approval from FAS to join the SPL for the 2024–2025 season. However, the club later clarified that it would defer its entry to a later date to focus on strengthening its administrative and sporting structure.
The SFL, which includes Division 1 and Division 2, together with the Island Wide League, provides the main competitive platform for amateur footballers in Singapore.
The SPL remains the top professional competition, featuring fully professional clubs competing for national honours and continental qualification.
Tengah FC said it would continue to work closely with FAS and relevant authorities to uphold standards of discipline, accountability, and respect within the sport.
