PETALING JAYA: Due to the salary delays impacting players in the league, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) will take a bit more time to assess the eligibility of clubs to get national licences for the 2024 season.
And they are also working with the clubs affected by salary arrears to resolve the matter.
The national league body informed that the First Instance Body (FIB) needs a bit more time to get extra details in terms of the documentation submitted by the Super League teams to obtain a national licence next season.
With the season set to end in a month, it has come to light that several clubs have not paid their players and staff for months.
Kedah, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan and even Kuala Lumpur are grappling with salary arrears.
MFL chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Stuart Ramalingam said the FIB will have a meeting soon to decide on the 14 teams competing after the independent body have completed early checks of the documents sent by the teams on Sept 30.
“At the same time, MFL are aware of the salary delays that are affecting several clubs. We have seen the social media updates and reports made by the local media,” he said.
“MFL are working with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) on the official complaints received by the bodies. It would be brought to FIB.
“MFL are also contacting the clubs involved to ensure that the best solution can be reached to solve the problem.
“MFL would like to urge those affected to come forward and report to FAM and PFAM. Do not just use social media to highlight your problem, use the official channels.”
Besides seeking the best solution to the salary arrears problem, MFL also stressed that they would take the opinion of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim seriously on the implementation of Financial Fair Play (FFP) in the league to control the spending of the clubs in the league.
Stuart said the protocol is being fine-tuned before it is introduced in the Malaysian League.
“MFL, however, would like to stress that all the clubs should be fully responsible when managing their spending. This must be done to ensure they do not get embroiled with salary delays.”
With the statement issued by the MFL, PFAM president Safee Sali hopes the body will tighten the rules to ensure that there are no errant clubs.
“Some players have said they would not report the salary issue because they want the team to remain in the league next season.
‘‘They respect the club but I hope the same respect would be shown to these players by the club.
“The audit for clubs during club licensing must be better. See their finances for one to two years and also their planning has to be for the long term and where their finances are coming from.
“Clubs need to spend within their means. Follow the budget and be realistic.”
