Mirko fined $500 for outburst

BY CHAN YI SHEN - TAMPINES Rovers striker Mirko Grabovac has been fined $500 by the Football Association of Singapore for his Beep Test outburst yesterday week.

Then, he had toppled a table after passing the mandatory fitness test at the Toa Payoh Stadium.

Said FAS director of competitions Quah Kim Song yesterday: 'He gave us his reasons and was remorseful. But we still regard it as a serious offence.

'All clubs have been given a general notice regarding players' behaviour towards the Singapore Sports Council staff conducting the test.

'We want to send a signal that we do not condone such unruly behaviour.'

The 35-year-old player had sent a letter of apology to the FAS, explaining that his action was due to relief rather than any unhappiness.

He could not be contacted yesterday.

Said Tampines general manager Wilson Chong: 'Grabovac has admitted his fault and is prepared to accept the fine as punishment.'

Tampines, last season's runners-up, will kick off their S-League campaign away to Woodlands Wellington tomorrow.

But they are facing several fitness woes.

Three players - defenders Nazri Nasir and Sead Muratovic and midfielder Ibrahim Noh - failed their Beep Test, and have been ruled out of the Woodlands match.

The next test will be early next month, but clubs can request for an earlier date.

Said Tampines team manager Syed Faruk: 'Sead and Nazri have already failed the test four times.

'There's no point in rushing them to take it again so soon as their chances of passing are slim.

'We have to prepare them and probably try again by the end of March.

'In the meantime, we have to cope without them.'

To make matters worse, forward Noh Alam Shah is out with a groin injury, while midfielder Zulkarnaen Zainal is suspended.

Reserve forward Aliff Shafaein also picked up a groin strain on Tuesday, and is facing a race to be fit.

But Rafi Ali, who will captain the team in Nazri's absence, is convinced that his side can overcome the odds.

He said: 'We will miss Sead and Nazri. But we have capable players like Shariff Abdul Samat and Mustafic Fahrudin who can also do the job.

'Woodlands are well-organised and full of confidence after winning the SingTel League Cup.

'But we will play our normal game, keep possession and move the ball about. We will go there and try to win.'

Meanwhile, defensive midfielder Mustafic, who played as centreback in Tuesday's 0-0 draw with India's Mohun Bagan in the Asian Football Confederation Cup, is likely to continue in the same position.

Reserve Shariff is also expected to be drafted into defence.

yishen@sph.com.sg