Lion City Sailors Denied AFC Title Due to Pitch Dispute
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21.05.2025
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Lion City Sailors Persib Bandung Sharjah FC

Lion City Sailors Denied AFC Title Due to Pitch Dispute

Robeliza Kifanes
Robeliza Kifanes Editor
Lion City Sailors Denied AFC Title Due to Pitch Dispute

The 2024/25 AFC Champions League 2 final ended in heartbreak for Lion City Sailors, who were denied the chance to host the decisive match at their preferred home ground — Jalan Besar Stadium — due to a pitch dispute. The Singaporean club was forced to relinquish home advantage following an official protest from opponents Sharjah FC over the venue’s synthetic surface.

Sailors’ Strong Record at Jalan Besar Undermined

Lion City Sailors had enjoyed a strong season at Jalan Besar Stadium, turning it into a fortress where they had suffered just one defeat throughout the tournament — a group-stage loss to Indonesia’s Persib Bandung. Backed by passionate home support and familiarity with the artificial turf, the team had hoped the final would be their crowning moment on home soil.

However, Sharjah FC, representing the United Arab Emirates, filed a complaint with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), citing concerns over the safety and playing conditions of the synthetic pitch. While Jalan Besar is an AFC-approved venue, the governing body accepted Sharjah’s appeal, forcing a change of venue to a neutral location.

A Missed Opportunity for Singaporean Football

The decision was a significant blow to the Sailors, both strategically and symbolically. A win would have marked the first-ever continental title for a Singaporean club, a historic achievement for Singapore football. The relocation not only disrupted their tactical preparations but also stripped them of the energy and morale that home support typically brings.

Although the team showed resilience and spirit, the absence of their home advantage was evident. The result underscores broader challenges for Southeast Asian clubs competing on the continental stage — where infrastructure standards and venue preferences can become deciding factors off the pitch.

The Lion City Sailors’ journey may have ended in frustration, but their run to the final will be remembered as a promising chapter in Singapore football’s evolution.