Cash-strapped Kelantan must put financial house in order

PeTaLiNG jaYa: More misery awaits cash-strapped Kelantan Football Association (Kafa) as they prepare for life in the second-tier Premier League next season.

The Red Warriors were relegated after finishing 11th in the 12-team Super League standings this season.

Kafa president Bibi Ramjani Ilias Khan had said that they need RM6 million to prepare the team for next season – and it seems that they might be demoted to the third-tier FAM Cup if they can’t sort out their dire financial situation.

It is learned that Kafa are in a tight spot due to their debts owed to former players Dramane Traore and Jonatan Lucca and former fitness coach Sebastian Knapic.

According to M-League organisers Malaysia Football League (MFL), Premier League teams need to apply for the 2020 Super League licence and the deadline is June 30 next year.

MFL chief executive officer (CEO) Kevin Ramalingam said teams who fail to complete their registration in time are in danger of missing the 2020 season.

“Kelantan are OK to play in the Premier League next season but the licence application process will start next year and the deadline for submission will be around middle of next year,” said Kevin.

“All the teams, not just Kelantan, need to get their documents in order to get their licences.”

In order for a team to be granted a licence, they would have to be assessed in six key criteria – sporting, infrastructure, personnel and administration, legal, financial and business which are stated in the FAM Club Licensing Regulations 2018.