Ghaddar’s days with Kelantan look all but over
MOHAMMED Ghaddar’s days with Kelantan are likely to be numbered as the east coast side could be forced to sell the Lebanese striker to raise funds to pay debts.
Kelantan were among the four teams docked six points for failure to settle players’ salaries, and contributions to Socso, Income Tax and the Employees Provident Fund yesterday,
Ghaddar, who has netted 16 goals in 11 matches for Kelantan this season, is now the hottest property in Malaysian football. A Super League side with a ‘very’ healthy bank balance have offered Kelantan a huge compensation to buy out his contract ahead of the mid-season transfer window, which opens on May 15.
On Sunday, Kelantan announced that Gambian forward Sanna Nyassi will replace the injured Alessandro Celin in the coming window.
The decision angered the team’s former defender Jonathan McKain, who has yet to receive several months' salary from the club.
The former Australia international, who has filed a complaint with Fifa, slammed Kelantan on his Twitter account and his grouse was taken up by FIFPro, the world players' union.
Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLPP) have also imposed a transfer ban on Kelantan for the upcoming mid-season transfer window but there is still a leeway to get new signings.
“On Kelantan’s decision to sign a new player, we will see what happens when the transfer window opens. They can still sell and mutually terminate contracts of players in the current squad to raise funds.
“They can still have new signings but all transactions must be within the revenue raised from releasing or selling players. We will monitor Kelantan during the transfer window,” said FMLLP chief executive officer Kevin Ramalingam yesterday.
Meanwhile, FMLLP labelled Pahang’s refusal to permit selected broadcast reporters from covering their FA Cup semi-final first leg match against Negri Sembilan last weekend at Darulmakmur Stadium as breach of commercial regulations.
“We will wait for the report over the incident before making a statement. If it is true, then they have breached regulations and the punishment could involve funding from commercial distributions,” Kevin added.