It’s complicated: Khalid Samad said the remaining funds would only be released if an individual, whom he did not name, was made KLFA president.
PETALING JAYA: Dirty politics is at play in Kuala Lumpur, says Khalid Samad.
The former Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) president has claimed that someone powerful was pulling the strings behind the scenes, leaving the club in dire straits financially.
Khalid, who served as the president from 2019 to March this year, said he had been targeted by the powerful person – and funds promised to the club had been withheld until he had resigned.
“I found out that the funds promised would not be given as long as I was president,” he said.
“So I resigned in March because I wanted to make sure the players were paid and the club’s licence was not revoked by the Malaysian Football League (MFL).
“After that, the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) gave the club RM3mil to settle the salary arrears for the last three months of 2023.
“But for this year’s salaries, not a single cent has been given,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Kuala Lumpur captain Paulo Josue has claimed that he had not been paid for the past seven months. It is learnt that there are others who are owed their salaries too.
Khalid said the remaining funds would only be released if an individual, whom he did not name, was made KLFA president.
“As long as this person does not become president, the players will not get their salaries,” he alleged.
“I’m extremely disappointed because what was promised has not been delivered. If I resign, the money should have been given to the club, but that has not happened,” said Khalid, who was also former Federal Territories minister.
Khalid said the Kuala Lumpur players have become the casualties of the ongoing political war, forcing him to bring the matter up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s attention.
“This cannot keep happening. I beg those who want to be KLFA president so badly, to at least take care of the players. Prioritise KLFA and the club, not political interests,” he said.
He added that Kuala Lumpur have seen great progress in recent years, but it would all go to waste if these issues persist.
“This political tug-of-war has to stop. I too am a politician, but not when it comes to football.
“There is a time and place for politicking, and it’s not on the football pitch,” said Khalid.
