KUALA LUMPUR: Perlis FA (PFA) president, Datuk Ahmad Amizal Shaifit Ahmad Rafie has stressed that the association have never ignored nor taken a hands-off approach on all sorts of matter and issues which include the salary arrears issue brought up by 18 of their players recently.
While pointing out that there was a misunderstanding regarding the salary arrears issue, Ahmad Amizal admitted that he was disappointed with the statement issued by the group of 18 players which he saw as pitting the blame on PFA’s new leadership that is spearheaded by him.
Therefore, Ahmad Amizal is hoping that all sides including the fans can be patient and give enough space and time for PFA’s management to resolve all the issues and problems that have surfaced after only being in charge of the association for just three months.
“Even before this when we held discussions with MFL (Malaysia Football League), we have never taken a hands-off approach nor turned a blind eye even though the fact of the matter is that the salary arrears issue did not fester under our administration and management.
“We took over PFA and the reality of the situation was there was not even one jersey around, not even one ball, so it is anything but easy for us to turn things around for the better for a team that were left with nothing.
“So when such an issue arose, it was as though we were the ones in charge for the past three years, when its actually only been three months. If you look at an infant, there’s really nothing much that can be done within a period of three months, and it’s the same for us as well,” he said.
The salary arrears issue for the Northern Lions squad is not something new, though it did get a lot of attention after 18 players came forward and claimed that they have had to do other jobs including being fisherman just to continue to make a living because they have not received their salary arrears from PFA.
Following the recent developments surrounding the issue, Ahmad Amizal claims that four main sponsors who were looking at sponsoring Perlis have now pulled out from talks which were already almost 95 per cent complete.
Based on NSTP Sports report yesterday (Thursday), Ahmad Amizal also opened the door for discussion with the group of 18 players on January 25 (Friday) to resolve the salary arrears issue.
Apart from this, he also denied that PFA’s management did not look after the players welfare especially in instructing them to attend centralised training in Kuala Lumpur.
“The management has done their best, and if you begin working on the first of the month, then you will only get your salary at the end of the month,” he pointed out.
“But before you get your salary, and you do not turn up for work, then the employers will not pay your salary, this is according to the law. If we can afford to pay for the field to train, then we can also see to matters when it comes to preparations and training in Kuala Lumpur, don’t tell me we won’t take care of them if they go to Kuala Lumpur.
“I do not want to blame the players, for me this is just a misunderstanding between the players and the management,” he said.