Clubs have to fork out hefty fees to sign national striker Akhyar

PETALING JAYA: National forward Muhammad Akhyar Rashid (pic) who is currently playing for Kedah, is free to move clubs but there is a price to pay.

Interested clubs will have to fork out RM285,000 as compensation to Kedah if they want to sign the mercurial 19-year-old left winger, who is currently on national duty for the AFF Suzuki Cup.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) status committee said in a statement that Akhyar is allowed to redeem his contract with Kedah by paying RM210,000.

Teams that want to seal a deal with him will also have to pay to Kedah a compensation worth RM75,000.

Last month, reports claimed that Akhyar was looking to terminate his contract with Kedah and has brought the case to FAM after failing to agree terms with the northern side.

Rumours were swirling around that Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) were interested to sign the youngster but its technical director Alistair Edwards quashed the claims and said they did not offer a contract to the player. During the status committee meeting also, four teams – MOF FC, Penang, Police and Terengganu City – were ordered by FAM to settle arrears worth RM1,113,000 to former players and officials.

The responsible teams have been told to settle their dues to the players and officials within the next 30 days or risk further repercussions from the national body.

MOF FC have been told to pay RM30,000 and RM21,000 to Muhammad Nurikhwan Mohamad Ismail and Mohamad Rahimi Rahim respectively while Terengganu City will have to pay RM142,000 to four officials.

Premier League side PDRM FA will have to pay RM522,000 to 12 players. Another Premier League team Penang owe six of their players RM398,000.