PM to help Perlis
LIFELINE: Najib has agreed to provide financial assistance to team, says Shahidan
THE Perlis FA (PFA), who are facing the possibility of being expelled from next season’s M-League for unpaid wages, may be getting a lifeline from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Former PFA president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, said the prime minister has agreed to offer some financial aide to the troubled association, who had earlier hinted that they might sit out from the Premier League due to financial constraints.
Super League side Kelantan are to decide their participation during an extraordinary congress today while Selangor have backed off after initially threatining to withdraw as well.
Shahidan said Najib’s offer has presented a ray of hope for the cash-strapped PFA to reconsider the plan and continue competing in the M-League next season.
“I spoke to the prime minister after the Cabinet meeting last week and he is willing to help PFA but the quantum has yet to be decided.
“Hopefully, the amount will ease the PFA’s financial woes,” he told reporters in Kangar late on Tuesday.
Shahidan also appealed to PFA to reconsider their decision to withdraw from next season’s Premier League as he believed that the ‘Northern Lions’ could rise and roar again with the support of various quarters.
“I am aware that the association have to spend between RM8 million and RM10 million annually for the squad and the amount is considered huge for a small state like Perlis.
“Believe me, I understand the burden shouldered by Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman as PFA president as I used to be in his position,” he said.
The New Straits Times had on Tuesday carried a front-page report that financially-troubled Selangor, Perlis and Kelantan may be expelled from the league for failing to settle wages.
It was reported that players and coaches of Super League teams Selangor and Kelantan along with Premier League side Perlis have yet to receive their November salary.
Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) chief executive officer Kevin Ramalingam was quoted as saying that all teams must submit their income tax and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) statements along with declarations of salary settlements by tomorrowbut the deadline is likely to be extended to Jan 6.