Ben Davis, the first Singaporean to sign a professional contract with a top-tier English football club, has made his first team debut.
The 18-year-old came on as an 89th minute substitute for Fulham Football Club in the Carabao Cup games against Southampton yesterday (27 Aug).
Fulham are now playing in the Championship, after being relegated last season from the Premier League.
Davis signed a two-year contract with Fulham in July last year.
However, MINDEF rejected his application to defer his national service, saying he did not “meet the criteria for long-term deferment from full-time NS”.
Earlier this year, MINDEF announced that Davis had defaulted on his national service.
In a statement, MINDEF said:
“He failed to report for NS as required. He is also staying overseas without a valid Exit Permit. Mr Davis has committed offences under the Enlistment Act, and is liable upon conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years.”
“As all male Singaporeans liable for full-time NS put aside personal pursuits to dutifully enlist and serve their NS, it would not be fair to approve applications for deferment for individuals to pursue their own careers and development.”
