Singapore says soccer star could face jail after missing enlistment

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's first soccer player signed to the English Premier League has missed his compulsory military service and now faces charges that carry up to three years in jail, the city-state's defence ministry said on Monday.

Singapore's refusal to allow Ben Davis, 18, to defer his national service sparked a debate last year over whether the country's rigid conscription law is stifling its youth from pursuing their dreams.

Davis signed a two-year contract with London club Fulham to become the first player from the Southeast Asian nation to join an English top-flight club.

"Mr Benjamin Davis is a National Service (NS) defaulter. He failed to report for NS as required. He is also staying overseas without a valid Exit Permit," the ministry of defence said in a statement posted on its website.

The ministry said Davis has committed offences under the Enlistment Act, and if convicted could be fined up to S$10,000 and/or imprisoned for up to three years.

His father, Harvey Davis, who has previously spoken on his behalf, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Only a handful of people have met the criteria for long-term deferment from military service, including swimmer Joseph Schooling, who won Singapore's first ever Olympic gold medal, in the 100 metres butterfly, at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

(Reporting by John Geddie; editing by Darren Schuettler)