Melaka players agree to pay cut but on one condition

Footballers of cash-strapped Melaka are willing to take a pay cut due to the disruption of the M-League caused by the Covid-19 pandemic but with conditions attached.

The Melaka Football Association (MFA) deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said most of the players are willing to take a salary cut but want the deductions reimbursed once the season gets under way again.

“The players are generally OK with the pay cut but they want to know how much it will be and they also want to be reimbursed once the season resumes,” said Yusoff.

“The players have given their suggestions and I will present it to the exco for further deliberation ... if needed we will have more discussion with the players. For me, it’s simple, as all of us need to find a common ground and negotiate for a win-win solution.

“This is a promising sign for the team and players and I hope everyone will be patient following the situation we are facing. We all need to be on the same wavelength and I’m confident the situation will improve gradually.”

Yusoff said the players’ suggestion will be tabled at the next exco meeting before a decision is made.

The Mousedeer, already in hot water for failing to settle their players’ salary arrears before the stipulated deadline on Jan 31, have also not paid the February and March salaries to their players.

For not meeting the Jan 31 deadline, Melaka were docked three points and are languishing in 11th spot in the 12-team Super League standings with three points.

Yusoff is confident the two-month pay arrears, which was caused by a change of leadership in the association and the state government plus the movement control order (MCO) will be resolved next week.

Yusoff said new MFA president and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali has been working on securing funds and the management have concluded the discussion with the players on the salary cut yesterday.

The changes plus the MCO, which was imposed to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, had left the Mousedeer in a fix.

“We were unlucky actually as we had a change of president and then the Covid-19 struck. The new president could not do much due to the MCO but he has been working hard and we will clear the salary arrears by next week,” said Yusoff.

“We don’t want to make the players unhappy as it would affect their performance when the season restarts.

“We will likely play through a hectic round of fixtures and we need all the players to be on board to fight for the team.”