LET’S KEEP THE BAD HATS OUT
MFL’s Kevin says officials, players must lodge reports on unscrupulous parties
UNSCRUPULOUS parties, who have tainted the image of the MLeague, should not be allowed back into the game. However, dishonest sponsors, who eventually go on to become club owners, continue to terrorise the league as desperate teams still entertain them despite their poor track record.
Malaysia Football League (MFL) chief executive Kevin Ramalingam is on a personal mission to stop unwanted parties into
the league but he can only do so effectively if club officials and players come forward and spill the beans.
Although aware of the issues, MFL and the FA of Malaysia (FAM) cannot do much unless players and club officials file complaints against these individuals.
“So far, reports have been unofficial, and we and FAM cannot do much unless these disgruntled parties are prepared to go on record.
“The only way we can stop unwanted parties into our football is by stopping them from getting in,” said Kevin, in reference to the issues pertaining to M3 League side Batu Dua FC, yesterday.
Defender Ljubo Baranin lambasted Batu Dua on his Facebook account recently following the club’s failure to pay his salary.
The defender disclosed he was mistreated by the club and that the owner, who claimed to be rich, was unable to settle players’ wages.
In his posting, Baranin alleged that the owner issued him a forged cheque and also told all the foreign signings to cover their own lodging, work permit and transportation expenses.
It is understood that the Batu Dua owners were also involved in other clubs, who had similar problems, in the past.
It is believed that they were also financing Marcerra United, Kuantan FA, Hanelang FC and Terengganu City FC, who all ended up not paying salaries to their players and coaches.
“There are many ways for them (the current Batu Dua owners) to return to football. It is tough to track as they, I believe, are not registered as officials and team members.
“We do not have an avenue to take action because many things happen behind the scene.
“Somehow players and officials seem to have faith in these people.
“Clubs continue to sign deals with them. But when they have problems, they question our football system.
“Our subsidiary, Amateur Football League (AFL), who handle the M3 League, did investigate but these individuals did not appear as members of the team.
“Players and officials have to realise that these individuals are tainting the image of our football. This is MFL’s first bad experience managing the M3 League. Before this, the league, formerly known as FAM Cup, was handled by FAM.
“The perplexing part is that many know about these people, but they continue to sign contracts with them.
“In other words, it’s weird and ridiculous,” Kevin added. RESULTS — FA CUP, S-finals, 1st Leg: Kedah 1 Felda United 0, Pahang 3 Perak 1.