KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has issued a stern directive to Kedah FC on the urgency of resolving its players’ salary issues to avert potential exclusion from the upcoming Malaysia Super League season.
As per the MFL, Kedah FC has been on the receiving end of multiple notifications from the First Instance Body (FIB), a division under the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), tasked with fortifying governance and administrative frameworks within football clubs.
These correspondences urge the club to ensure the settlement of players’ salaries by March 5.
With concern over the looming Super League season, MFL president Datuk Stuart Ramalingam underscored the critical need for Kedah FC to swiftly address this matter.
“FIB has already sent Kedah FC several letters based on the issues happening in the club, and they have to settle their players’ salaries by the deadline we have given them.
“The last update we got from them is they are waiting for some allocation from the state government. The deadline was supposed to be last week, but we decided to give them some time so they could find the funds.
“I don’t want to speculate that MFL will plan to kick out Kedah FC from the Super League, but this is a serious issue, and MFL can’t give them a lot of time to resolve it as the league is also going to start soon.
“We need to finalise the match calendar soon before the new season kicks off,” said Stuart when met at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
In parallel, Stuart added that Kuala Lumpur City FC faces similar challenges, with the club endeavouring to address outstanding player salary issues amid financial constraints.
Scoop previously reported concerns regarding KL City FC’s financial stability, leaving players grappling with unpaid dues.
Despite ongoing investigations involving FIB, Stuart conveyed optimism regarding the club’s efforts to rectify the situation, distinguishing it from Kedah FC’s predicament.
“The issue in KL City is not as bad as Kedah FC as they have taken several steps to solve their players’ salary issues.
“FIB is also involved in the investigation, but the situation is not as serious as what we are facing with Kedah FC,” Stuart added.
Previously, it was reported that Kedah FC’s majority shareholder, Tan Sri Mohd Daud Bakar, confirmed that the club is facing financial woes, resulting in players, coaches, and team officials not being paid their salaries since August last year.
The club’s management board also announced the resignation of Khamal Idris Ali as chief executive after four years of service.
In an effort to raise funds, the club organised a fan engagement tour series around the state in November last year, partnering with the Green Yellow Supporter Club, involving the sale of merchandise.
Despite financial challenges, Kedah FC’s on-field performance remained commendable, securing fourth place with 53 points in the 2023 Super League season.
The club boasts a prestigious history, having clinched the Super League title three times (1993, 2006, and 2007) and winning the FA Cup five times (1990, 1993, 2007, 2008, and 2016). – March 1, 2024