Solve Your Own Mess Minister Tells Financially Hit Football Associations

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Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says the problem is caused by the associations’ inefficient business management models.PEKAN: Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has slammed some state football associations (FAs) for taking shortcuts by seeking his ministry’s assistance to help them settle salaries owed to their players and officials
He said such requests were not only wrong but also unfair to sports associations and football clubs who managed their finances prudently
“It’s not fair to come to the ministry for aid when they have a problem … definitely wrong
“Secondly, it’s their (FAs) mess and they should sort it out themselves,” he told reporters after officiating the National Youth Skills Institute aircraft repair workshop here today
Recently, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) became aware that a few FAs were having difficulty settling the arrears owed to their players and team officials
Following that, seven teams – Felda United, Perlis, Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan, Penang, Royal Malaysia Police and Melaka United – were instructed to submit additional information regarding their financial status within 48 hours, effective last Friday
Syed Saddiq described the issue of unpaid wages to players and officials by teams competing in the Malaysia League as nothing new
He said that it was a recurring problem caused by their inefficient business management models
“They sign players with promises of high salaries, but even before the season is over they find that they can’t pay the players. Then, they start giving excuses like ‘we did not anticipate this problem’
“The ministry is ready to collaborate with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and state FAs to find a solution to this issue, which is plaguing the sport in the country,” he said. - FMT

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