KUALA LUMPUR: The Pahang Football Association (PFA) are irked with FAM for what they deem as the latter's inaction in resolving the Mohamadou Sumareh issue.
PFA issued a strongly-worded letter today to FAM expressing their unhappiness.
PFA secretary-general Norlia Abdul Manaf said though they lodged a complaint with FAM on Sept 11, the national body did not show urgency or interest in looking into the issue.
National winger Sumareh, 26, abruptly left the Pahang team after missing training for more than a month. He did not feature in any of their Super League matches when the season resumed on Aug 26.
"FAM are only giving excuses by claiming that they were waiting for world body Fifa to take action. The PFA management cannot accept this as the claims are baseless," said Norlia.
"Everyone is aware that the player involved is a local player and the case is under FAM's jurisdiction. Even the AFC secretary-general (Datuk Windsor Paul John) had confirmed it in a media statement."
Norlia said FAM, as the national body for football in the country, which PFA also come under, should duly assist in the matter.
"In the past, FAM, through their status committee or disciplinary committee, had solved many disputes involving players and their affiliates.
"PFA hope FAM will give serious and immediate attention to the matter."
Norlia said if FAM continue to show a lack of interest in looking into their complaint, PFA will not hesitate to refer the case to other arbitration bodies or government agencies, including the Sports Commissioner's Office.
She claimed that PFA have a strong case in their contract dispute with Sumareh, and they have the legitimate documents to prove it.
"All the allegations made by the player concerned are false, fabricated and an attempt at manipulation by a naturalised player who received his Malaysian citizenship.
"Based on the facts and the truth, PFA have all the rights to challenge the case."
The Gambian-born Sumareh, who is Malaysia's first naturalised player (non-heritage), claimed he was not paid accordingly to the contract for three years and that PFA did not entertain his letters and emails on the matter.
PFA, who earlier said they would take legal action against Sumareh, claimed that they had never failed to pay his salaries in accordance with the contract.
On Sept 10, the AFC were reported as saying that since Sumareh was a local player, the ball was in FAM's court in deciding his status and that the case has nothing to do with Fifa.
FAM responded with a statement in their Facebook page today, declaring that PFA's accusations were baseless and irresponsible.
FAM said from day one, they have been working with Pahang on the procedures and requirements in presenting the Sumareh case to Fifa.
To give the public a better understanding of the issue, FAM revealed a detailed chronology, explaining the events in the Sumareh-PFA dispute.
Meanwhile, PFA were left dumbfounded by news that FAM had given the green light to the FA of Selangor (FAS) to initiate contract talks with Sumareh.
FAS secretary-general Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon was reported as saying on Monday that he had checked with FAM on Sumareh's status, and that they only held talks with the player after receiving approval from the national body.
A PFA source said today the news of FAM "giving the green light" was disturbing as they had already lodged a complaint against Sumareh.
"FAM have to settle the outstanding issue first as PFA's case is yet to be heard. Instead, FAM allegedly allowed Selangor to enter talks with Sumareh and it remains a mystery how this happened.
"In simple words, PFA and Sumareh have filed for a divorce and the case is handled by FAM. However, even before the marriage is dissolved, Selangor are allowed to 'marry' Sumareh."
In response, FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam said the national body do not have the authority to give approval to FAS to start talks with Sumareh.
He said Dr Johan had asked him about Sumareh's contract status with Pahang FA. "I explained based on the case status which from (my) understanding, Sumareh has terminated his contract, from his side, with Pahang FA by invoking the clause that is stated in his contract."