KUALA LUMPUR – The Amateur Football League (AFL) has refuted claims suggesting it instructed M3 League clubs to withhold players’ salaries during the transfer window, denying any involvement in such practices.
Responding to allegations raised by several national footballers regarding unpaid salaries of more than four months due to conditions purportedly set by AFL in player contracts, AFL chief operating officer Mohd Raimi Fakri Mohd Fuad clarified the league’s stance.
Speaking to Scoop, Raimi said that all clubs in the league are mandated to utilise the same player contract template authorised by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
“The allegations made by former national footballers are false, and we never intended to ruin any players’ livelihoods.
“The clubs were instructed by us to use the same player contract template authorised by FAM, which is also used by clubs in the Malaysia Football League (MFL),” he said when contacted.
He also said that the allegations made by former national footballers are unfounded, and in response highlighted AFL’s commitment to safeguarding players’ livelihoods.
“It’s not right for players to come up with allegations like this, and they need to think twice before making such claims.
“We have already instructed clubs not to withhold any player salaries, but ultimately, it’s up to the clubs whether they can afford to pay their players or not, and we can’t interfere in their decision-making process.
“I think it’s time for us to once again educate the clubs in our league that if players have any issues, they need to communicate with their clubs first instead of shifting the blame to us,” Raimi added.
When asked whether the governing body has received any reports of salary issues, Raimi said that while rumours have circulated, his committee has yet to receive any formal complaints.
“I’m not going to deny the fact that I have heard a few rumours about some players in clubs that play in our league. But we can’t take any action because there haven’t been any formal complaints made.
“If there are any formal complaints, we will expedite them to FAM and ensure that we work together with the clubs to seek justice for the players.
“Our committee has been working hard to do the best for the league, and it’s unfair for people to tarnish our image.
“We are planning to expand the number of teams in the league, and we will continue to do our best,” Raimi added.
Founded in 2019, the M3 League operates as Malaysia’s second-level football competition, facilitating promotion and relegation dynamics with the Malaysia Premier League and Malaysia M4 League until 2022.
The league is contested by 14 clubs, with the top two clubs getting promoted to the Malaysia Super League.
The AFL is an organisation sanctioned by FAM to govern amateur-level football. – February 29, 2024