HOO-HA OVER PAYMENT
PFAM deny Terengganu City FC players’ allegations
IT has only been three days since the FA of Malaysia (FAM) announced they had paid out close to RM2.6 million in backdated salaries. But Terengganu City FC players and their coach have already slammed the national body, claiming that they have not received their money.
Harian Metro reported that Terengganu City’s Mohd Dzaiddin Zainuddin, Mohd Muslim Yusof and Khairul Ramadhan Zauwawi, and coach Mohd Noor Md Derus have voiced their disappointment over not receiving the money.
They were not able to see the owed amount in their ATM bank statements.
It is reported that Terengganu City FC owed RM512,700 in salary arrears to 21 players.
However, Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) chief executive officer Izham Ismail has denied their allegations.
He said the cases of the players or coach in question are being processed under different timelines.
“For Muslim, we have never represented him. His name has never come up on our list and we aren’t sure whether he lodged a report with FAM or on his own. But as far as we are concerned, we did not represent him.
“In Khairul’s case, we have submitted his paperwork and it’s pending a FAM’s Status Committee decision for the third batch sent last week.
“Dzaiddin’s remarks were made prematurely and the money is already in.
“He made the comment about two days back but he seems to be okay with it now. The other players are still waiting for a decision,” said Izham.
It is understood that Noor, who was owed salaries between July and December 2018, has received his payment but he has been vocal about the steps taken by FAM to ease the troubles faced by the players.
Noor, who spearheaded Terengganu City to the 2018 FAM Cup title, is also one of the many players on the team who did not lodge a police report for action to be taken against those who bankrupted Terengganu City FC and Hanelang FC.
Meanwhile, PFAM released a statement to clarify that all the players represented by them have received the money owed in salary arrears.
The footballers involved were linked to teams such as Police, MOF, DBKL and Terengganu City while those formerly with Marcerra United and Hanelang will receive their money soon.
“We’d like to thank FAM for the proactive action even though it’s not their job to ensure the players are paid, but credit has to be given to FAM.
“Whatever money there is for the team, was transferred directly to the players and hopefully this will be the start of many more salary arrears settlements.” he said.
JDT 3 Perak SEDC 0, Perak 1 PJ City 0, PKNS 2 Felda Utd 0, Terengganu 3 Melaka Utd 0;
Negri Sembilan 0 Sabah 0, Penang 2 Selangor Utd 1, Police 0 UKM 1.
RESULTS — SUPER LEAGUE: