PENANG: The FA of Penang (FAP) have claimed ignorance over the alleged non-payment of salary to their former Brazilian defender Reinaldo Lobo.
The FAP said today they only came to know about the issue a couple of weeks ago.
Penang FA trustee, Datuk Abdul Rashid Ismail said the association were in a bit of turmoil recently following the resignations of their president, deputy president and vice president.
The FAP council have appointed Rashid to carry out the duties of the president until their AGM on Jan 17.
"We were really unaware of Reinaldo's predicament until of late. It is not only him, but the whole team's salaries last month salary were also not paid. As for Reinaldo, it is six months of salary.
"Since we took over, he has not approached us. We are also aware that he has lodged a complaint with Fifa and FAM.
“We are in the midst of securing a sponsor and looking forward to settling it as soon as possible," said Abdul Rashid during a press conference today.
Rashid said the FAP want to settle the matter amicably before any action by FAM or Fifa.
Reinaldo had complained to Fifa that his salary has not been paid by Penang for the last six months of his contract which ended on Nov 30, last year.
Reinaldo said he has been patient for far too long over the issue, adding that six months of non-payment has affected his livelihood.
The 30-year-old Brazilian, who helped Penang win promotion to the Super League in 2015, said he reported to Fifa as a last resort as his complaints to FAP had fallen on deaf ears.