PETALING JAYA: Finally, there are some cheers for players affected by unpaid wages.
Former players and officials of Sarawak United and Melaka can afford to smile a little after the Malaysian Football League (MFL) announced that they will distribute part of the broadcasting rights funds of the teams involved to those affected by the salary arrears from last year.
MFL chief executive officer Datuk Stuart Ramalingam announced the decision after attending the board of directors meeting earlier this week.
The total amount of the fund was not disclosed but Stuart hoped the initiative can reduce the burden faced by the former players after several months of not getting their salaries from their respective employers.
“The board of directors have approved the decision recently and the funds will be distributed to the affected players and officials but not to the club,” said Stuart.
“It will not resolve their problems entirely but I hope it will lessen their financial burden.
“PFAM (Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia) have submitted the list of players. At the same time, we have a list of coaches affected and the funds will be distributed to them this week.
“The funds comes from the grant money withheld by MFL during the specified period.
“We hope these issues will eventually be resolved,” he said.
Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (PJBM) president Datuk Ong Kim Swee had earlier expressed his disappointment with Sarawak United as the defunct club still had not settled the salary arrears involving their former coach and late B. Sathiananthan.
The late Sathianathan had demanded salary arrears from his former employer on several occasions but it went unresolved by the management of Sarawak United until now.
Stuart added he had discussed with Kim Swee in an effort to find the best way to resolve the salary arrears involving the coach.
“Kim Swee contacted me regarding the coach’s welfare including the case of the late Sathia.
“MFL will try to find the best way to solve the late coach’s salary arrears,” he added.
