KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Feb 2019:
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has ordered Felda United to settle RM1,327,918.80 in unpaid wages to its six players.
Felda still owe Ahmad Syamim Yahya (RM259,591.20); Mohd Farizal Harun (RM167,491.40); Muhammad Azreen Zulkafali (RM38,930.70); Muhammad Hadin Azman (RM193,000); Muhammad Shukor Adan (RM390,681.90); and Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (RM278,223.60).
FAM Status Committee chairman Mohd Joehari Ayub said in a statement Felda will have to settle the salary arrears and other payments as stipulated (subject to mandatory deductions) within 30 days from the date of being notified of the decision.
Meanwhile, FAM League club side Hanelang FC had been ordered to settle the salaries owed to their four former officials – Ahmad Yusoff (RM105,000); Muhammad Iftiqar Ahmad Termizi (RM27,000); Syed Azla Syed Muhamad (RM30,000); and Tengku Alias Tengku Ibrahim (RM48,000) – as well as to former player Reeshafiq Alwi (RM14,000).
Mohd Joehari also noted 2018 FAM Cup champions Terengganu City FC will have to settle the RM191,000 owed its 10 former players.
The club had yet to pay the salaries of Mohamad Zahier Abu Sahit (RM12,000); Jasmir Mehat and Lee Yong Cheng (RM16,000 each); Rusmanizam Roseland (RM18,000); Mohd Dzaiddin Zainuddin, Mohd Hafiszuan Salehuddin and Shafuan Adli Shaari (RM20,000 each); Reeshafiq Alwi (RM21,000); as well as Mohd Rahizi Mohd Rasib and Muhammad Sabri Adam (RM24,000 each).
FAM also told Terengganu City FC to settle the unpaid salary of RM42,000 (minus mandatory deductions) and housing allowance arrears of RM6,000 to former coach Anuar Jusoh within 30 days from the date of being notified of the decision.
The Royal Malaysian Police Football Association, meanwhile, has been ordered to pay two former players Hazrol Ahamed and Mohammad Fazil Abd Rahim RM24,000 each in unpaid wages and RM42,000 in salary arrears to former assistant coach Muhammad Khalid Jamlus.
Mohd Joehari said FAM has instructed the Perlis Football Association (PFA) to settle the salaries owed to Famirul Asraf Sayuti (RM23,000) and Mohd Alafi Mahmud (RM29,000) and the Kuantan FA to pay up the RM39,600 owed to former player Mohammad Fazil Abd Rahim.
Mohd Joehari stressed that if all the teams failed to pay up within the stipulated time frame, any competition deposits, cash prizes or whatever amount of theirs still remaining with FAM would be used to directly pay the affected players and officials.
He added that the matter would then be brought to the FAM Disciplinary Committee under Article 67 of the FAM Disciplinary Code for consideration and official result if the financial resources mentioned were still insufficient to settle the outstanding amount owed.
All decisions were reached at the FAM Status Committee meeting held on Feb 1.
Meanwhile, PFA is ready to submit all financial documents by next Friday (Feb 15) as instructed by the Malaysian Football League (MFL).
“MFL have been in constant touch with us to follow our team’s progress, and we have no problems adhering to their instructions,” PFA president Datuk Ahmad Amizal Shaifit Ahmad Rafie said yesterday.
The PFA, whose financial difficulties have resulted in the team failing to pay salaries to its players this season, had been instructed by MFL to produce financial documents immediately for action to be taken by the MFL board of directors.
Perlis, who is featuring in the Premier League this season, also owes 18 players from last season their salaries. Based on their agreement with MFL, the arrears would be paid from the annual grant if they cannot be settled within 60 days from Dec 28 last year.
Ahmad Amizal admitted the financial problem was PFA’s sole responsibility.
“This is because we did not stick to our original plan. MFL’s decision to promote Perlis to the Premier League was not wrong at that time because we did have a structured and clear plan.
“Unfortunately, the problem and the negative impact that resulted from it put paid to our plan.”
Perlis, also known as Northern Lions, began its new Premier League season with a 1-2 loss to UKM FC last Sunday.
– Bernama