Give us the dates and we’ll talk money, say Kedah
The dates of the M-League’s resumption needs to be known before Kedah can hold discussions with their players and restructure their finances.
After Johor Darul Ta’zim owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim revealed that the northern state owe players their salaries, Kedah Football Association (KFA) secretary-general Asmirul Anuar Aris revealed that sponsors have been unable to settle payments due to the economic situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and Malaysian Football League (MFL) need to confirm the new dates for the league first.
“MFL and FAM have not come to a conclusion on when the league will restart even though they have held countless meetings,” Asmirul said in a posting on his Facebook page yesterday.
“So, how do state managements and affiliates restructure their finances and have discussions with the players?”
He said FAM and MFL must look after the welfare of each team and affiliates when the nation is going through an unprecedented situation instead of just being a moderator.
“If they fail to help the states that are severely hit by this situation, what do you think is the situation between these clubs and their sponsors?”
He also questioned why JDT were interfering in the matters, and superseding FAM.
On Monday, Tunku Ismail, who is also the royal patron of the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM), reminded M-League teams to not use the situation as an excuse to not pay salary arrears.
After Asmirul’s statement, Tunku Ismail, on his Instagram page retorted that he spoke as the royal patron of PFAM, not as JDT owner.
“The ones who complained are Kedah FA players. I’m voicing out on behalf of all the players in the country.”
Asmirul, meanwhile, also said sponsors had spoken to them and hoped a solution could be reached once the MCO ends.
“When the first phase of the MCO was imposed, our sponsors applied to defer payment until the end of the first phase. However, it has been extended up to a third phase.
“This has burdened the sponsors because their businesses have been severely affected. However, they promised to settle the sponsorship.”
FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam said three letters had been sent to all states informing them of alternatives plans on when the league would resume.
“Three letters have been e-mailed to all secretaries-general, exco members and clubs - informing on the league suspension and planning from MFL,” he said.
“The third letter, dated April 5, details plans made by MFL, such as alternatives on football competition calendar for this season. Also, we have said detailed information will be given once the MCO is over.”