Invest in the SPL or it won't grow: Pennant

Nearly eight years ago, former Arsenal and Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant bid farewell to the SLeague the same way he arrived with a lot of buzz and fuss.

- David Lee

Before returning to England after a solitary season with Tampines Rovers, the winger created a stir when he said that not even superstar Lionel Messi could save Singapore's flagging league.

Back in town for the StarHub Football Festival on April 20 and 21, the 41-year-old is sticking to his guns, telling The Sunday Times he meant well and stands by what he said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event at Our Tampines Hub, he said: "You look at all the big leagues - there is a lot of investment in the leagues to improve the squads, management, pitches, facilities, marketing and other services and products.

"These things cost money but it's like a business - if you don't invest in it, the business won't grow." Pennant admitted he knew nothing about Singapore, the S-League - now known as the Singapore Premier League and Tampines Rovers before he became one of biggest names in the league.