Étoile Football Club was a professional football club from France based in Commonwealth, Singapore which was formed to play in Singapore's S.League in 2010. Étoile was the first team of players all born in Europe to play football in Singapore's professional league, and the first in Asia. The club was mostly made up of players of French origin.
Étoile then made history by becoming the first foreign team to win S.league title, sealing the title on a dramatic final day with a 4–2 victory over Albirex Niigata (S). Ètoile have won 1 league title, 1 Singapore League Cup and 1 Community Shield.
After pulling out of the S.League in 2012, Étoile was converted to Ètoile Football Academy based in Commonwealth, aiming to provide quality football coaching and development for individuals from all walks of life. [1]
Étoile became the first foreign team to win the S.League title following a 4–2 win over Albirex Niigata (S) at the Jurong East Stadium. On that fateful night, Kazuki Kobayashi had scored twice to give the Japanese satellite team a 2–1 lead at half time. However, goals by Frédéric Mendy (2 goals) and Matthias Verschave sealed the title win for Étoile. Frédéric Mendy went on to become the 2010 S.League top scorer with 21 goals.
Étoile was the 'brainchild' of ex-Gombak United midfielder Johan Gouttefangeas. He was the chairman of Étoile since its formation in 2010. In June 2011, Johan relinquished his position as chairman and Hicham Moudden took over.[2] In 2012, Ludovic Casset stepped up as chairman.
Grassroots football
Étoile pulled out of the S.League for the 2012 season to focus on grassroots football and youth development with the creation of Étoile Academy.[3]
Étoile Academy bases itself on three core principles: Grassroots football is football for all, play is the best means of learning – above all, youngsters should have fun and children are not just miniature adults.[4]
During the 2011 S.League match between Étoile and Hougang United on 23 May 2011, several Étoile players were involved in the controversial match against Hougang United which was called off before kick-off when an all in brawl erupted during the pre-match warm up. Details of the fracas are sketchy, however it is believed the fight started when goalkeeper Hadama Bathily entered the Hougang's warm up area to retrieve a miss-kicked ball. Bathily then attacked Hougang's assistant coach Hasrin Jailani after it was claimed by Bathili that he was racially abused by Jailani. Both teams then rushed to defend their respective team members where the fight escalated. As a result of the fracas, Basit Abdul Hamid and the Hougang assistant coach were taken to hospital, whilst Étoile players Franklin Anzite and Bathily were also taken to hospital.[6]
After a week-long disciplinary hearing from the Football Association of Singapore, which took 5 sessions, a total of 18+ hours, finally reached a verdict. Both clubs were docked 5 points each, and fined $10,000, of which $5,000 is suspended until the end of the 2011 S.League season, dependent on each clubs good behaviour.[7] Three Hougang United members were charged with gross misconduct which brought the game into disrepute.[8] Assistant coach Jailani was fined $1,000, charged with using vulgar language and received a 3-match touchline ban.[8] Hougang's captain Shariff Abdul Samat was fined $1,500 and charged with committing an act of violence upon Bathily, and received a 5-match suspension.[8]Fathi Yunus was cleared of all charges by the tribunal.[8]
Bathili himself was charged with committing an act of violence upon the Hougang assistant coach, was fined $2,000 and received a 7-match ban,[8] whilst Bathili's teammate Serge Souchon-Koguia was charged with committing an assault on Hougang player Basit Abdul Hamid, fined $1,500 and received a 5-match ban.[8]
