KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has urged clubs facing wage issues to expedite their solutions, citing that these issues indirectly tarnish the image of the Super League.
It has been reported that clubs such as Sri Pahang FC, Perak FC, Sabah FC and Kedah FC have been struggling to pay their salary arrears since the beginning of this season’s Super League campaign.
There have also been incidents where several players from Sri Pahang have taken matters into their own hands by criticising their employers on social media.
As a result, fans and football analysts have recently criticised the Super League, speculating that the league will “collapse” if these issues persist.
Speaking to Scoop, MFL chief executive Datuk Stuart Ramalingam said troubled teams should be transparent and come forward to explain their solutions to avoid unnecessary speculation.
“Obviously, from the league’s perspective, issues like these don’t sit well with the industry. But collectively, we are all working together to resolve this situation.
“The clubs that are compliant are also affected by certain clubs’ wage issues simply because they are in the Super League. Ultimately, it affects the whole league.
“The clubs must come forward and tell it like it is, not leave it to speculation. When you leave it to speculation, you allow other people, perhaps ‘unqualified’ people, to make comments.
“MFL can’t answer on behalf of the clubs. Once again, they must come forward and explain to fans and the media whether they are facing internal management or internal politics issues that are an obstacle, or other matters that they are facing,” said Stuart when contacted.
The MFL chief also said the governing body would not hesitate to take action against any clubs mired in wage issues based on its financial fair play (FFP) standard operating procedures.
For the record, MFL has introduced FFP standards this season as a new instrument in curbing the issue of salary arrears that has often plagued several teams in the Malaysian league over the years.
Stuart also said FFP actions could be taken against clubs in the middle of the season, instead of waiting until the end of the season.
Transfer bans and point deductions are among the sanctions available under the FFP rules.
“We hope all the clubs expedite their solutions that they have provided to the MFL. Previously, we waited for the club licensing window to close, but now with FFP, intervention will take place during the season,” said Stuart.
“We hope this intervention will help the clubs to expedite their solutions because sanctions can be imposed during the season, not just during the licensing window.
“I’m confident that MFL will do our best collectively and that these issues can be resolved as soon as possible. Wage issues in the league have been ongoing for a long time, and this is not the first occurrence. The league is progressing, and we hope that the clubs understand that we don’t want this to happen again.
“As a league operator, we should work together with the clubs and support them, as they are crucial to the entire ecosystem of the game,” Stuart added.
It was reported that Kedah were given a three-point deduction in the ongoing Super League season and fined RM50,000 based on their salary arrears from last season. – June 24, 2024