Tampines Rovers' preparations for their AFC Cup game in the Philippines have been overshadowed by reports that the Singapore giants have been late to pay some of their players.
The five-time S.League champions are in Bacolod City ahead of Tuesday night's Group G match against Ceres-Negros.
Club chairman Krishna Ramachandra said that the delays in payments were due to paperwork issues, rather than the kind of cash-flow problems that Tampines encountered last season.
"Last year's financial situation [compared to] this year is chalk and cheese. I know if there is a financial issue... there isn't... it's an administrative issue," Krishna told The New Paper.
Tampines have also been fined by the AFC for their failure to bring a second kit to their AFC Champions League (ACL) qualifier against Global FC of the Philippines in January. This was due to the late delivery by a jersey supplier, according to Tampines general manager Desmund Khusnin.
Juergen Raab's pre-Ceres press conference ahead of tomorrow @afccup clash. Photo: @odds888
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"Yes, we did get fined US$2,000 after that AFC Champions League qualifier against Global FC because we didn't bring a second kit along with us," Khusnin told The New Paper.
"I have spoken with our supplier, and they will pay the fine."
Tampines have had a mixed start to the 2017 season, losing their ACL qualifier 2-0 to Global, and blowing a lead to fall 2-1 to Albirex Niigata (S) in the season-opening Community Shield.
But they have won their last two matches, overcoming Felda United 2-1 in the AFC Cup, and edging Hougang Unied 2-1 in the S.League last Friday.