FAM need to settle issue with Bernhardt
THE recent efforts by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) in pressuring Kelantan to settle unpaid salaries with players are seen as commendable.
However, FAM should lead by example as they are also guilty of offering raw deals to their former coaches.
Former national under-22 coach Frank Bernhardt, who was sacked in March for unclear reasons, has yet to receive a full settlement for his term until December.
The German, who recently rejected FAM’s offer of three months salary as compensation, has warned the national association that he may file a complaint with Fifa.
It would be embarrassing for FAM if it happens as Fifa are expected to rule in favour of Bernhardt if the matter goes to the world body.
It is learnt that Bernhardt was not issued show cause letters over the performance of his team when he was the coach.
National Coaches Association of Malaysia (NCAM) president B. Sathianathan said foreign coaches working in the country can go straight to Fifa to settle contract issues without referring to FAM.
“Frankly, I do not have any information on Bernhardt’s contract. Foreign coaches normally do not come to us for help as they can go straight to Fifa,” Sathianathan told Timesport yesterday.
“I hope Bernhardt and FAM will be able to settle the matter amicably without going to Fifa. However, he is free to do anything if he is unhappy with the compensation offer.”
Bernhardt did not respond to text messages and phone calls from Timesport over the matter. Timesport also tried to contact FAM general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin for comments but he did not reply.
FMLLP issued another warning to Kelantan yesterday, stating they could be demoted to the Premier League if they do not settle all outstanding debts by Oct 31.
Kelantan have been up in arms with FMLLP over several issues this year. The east coast side were docked six points last month and were handed a temporary transfer ban.
The club can only sign new players if they have sold existing players in their squad.
Kelantan sold Lebanese Mohammed Ghaddar to Darul Ta’zim and signed Abou Bakr Al-Mel recently.
However, Kelantan’s hopes of signing a second foreigner in Senegalese French forward L'Imam Seydi have been dashed.
FMLLP informed them that they must settle all outstanding wages before the mid-season transfer window ends on June 11 in order to register L’Imam. Ajitpal Singh