ANOTHER UGLY EPISODE — BUNGS

Coaches and officials of clubs allegedly involved in making transfers, receive kickbacks from agents

MATCH-FIXING is not the only problem in the M-League. It is learnt that several coaches and top officials in the MLeague have been receiving bungs for player transfers during transfer windows.

A bung is an unauthorised and undisclosed payment to those within a club, for example, to a scout or club official — to “grease” a deal.

In other words, a secret financial incentive to make a transfer happen.

This unhealthy practice is widespread in the M-League. Now, those in the football fraternity want the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and the Malaysia Football League (MFL) to put a stop to it.

Several coaches and football officials have become millionaires by receiving bungs from football agents.

It is understood that football coaches and officials normally receive between 30 and 50 per cent of the commission earned by agents to influence player transfers.

This unprincipled practice is the reason why some teams go for “mass” changes of foreign players, especially during the midseason transfer window.

There have been several cases in the past where foreign players, despite being the leading scorers of their clubs, are suddenly replaced by new signings who turn

out to be bad buys.

A football official disclosed: “Some coaches and officials of clubs have asked whether there would be ‘duit kopi’ for them if a transfer deal goes through.

“It is common for coaches and officials to demand kickbacks.

“An agent normally receives commission equivalent to one month’s pay of a player. If a player’s monthly salary is US$20,000 (RM83,000) a month, the agent will receive a similar amount as commission.

“However, the agent has to give between 30 and 50 per cent of his commission to the coach or football official as payment (which is illegal) for helping to get the deal done.

“Many have become millionaires from these deals. A former state FA high-ranking official was driving only a Proton Saga before he was appointed to the post, but after a few months, he was driving a Toyota Alphard.

“I am sure he was involved in this. “However, some are smart. They prefer to receive their ‘cut’ in kind rather than cash in order not to arouse suspicion.

“There are not many honest deals in regard to player transfers in the MLeague.

“However, this does not only happen here in Malaysia. It is a global problem,” said the official.

A football intermediary hopes FAM and MFL will conduct an investigation into this and take immediate action.

“The best way is to get the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) involved in the investigation.

“The bank accounts and the lifestyles of coaches and football officials should be monitored.

“FAM, MFL and the State FAs should also take action to curb this practice.

“It is no harm for teams to work with their preferred agents, but all transactions should be accounted for.

“This is corruption and it is wrong,” said the intermediary.

The Daily Telegraph published a report in 2016 describing the bung culture as being an unhealthy practice.

“Bungs are bad for the game. First, they influence people to make decisions on financial, not sporting grounds.

“Second, they can effectively amount to fraud, with buying clubs spending cash under false pretences.

“Third, bungs are paid in cash, or into offshore accounts, creating the possibility of tax evasion.

“Fourth, and most important to football fans, any bung is ultimately the supporters' money,” the Daily Telegraph reported.