Football

Red Warriors chief slams FAM

KELANTAN FC owner Norizam Tukiman has slammed the FA of Malaysia (FAM) following the announcement that the Red Warriors may be docked points due to players salary issues.

Norizam, or better known as "Zamsaham", took to social media yesterday to express his anger at the national football body after Kelantan FA (Kafa) were ordered to pay a total of RM187,778.92 in backdated wages to players.

Irked by FAM status committee's ruling on Wednesday, Norizam questioned FAM's running of football in the country and the effectiveness of the FA to FC club privatisation process.

"The privatisation of Malaysia football is the last in the world, and the wisest," he wrote in what is seen to be in a sarcastic tone.

"An unwise privatisation, it's Kafa's debt but Kelantan FC are fined. What's the use of privatisation?

"Kafa have cleared their debts. Kelantan FC now want to focus on the future.

"FAM are supposed to help with the privatisation, not to tell the media early on that (we will) be docked three points without asking the club and Kafa first.

"I appeal for FAM to be wiser than usual. MFL's (Malaysian Football League) match broadcast debts aren't paid. MFL's referees aren't paid.

"What is FAM striving for? (To) renovate (their) office?"

FAM announced on Wednesday that KAFA must pay salary arrears to Muhammad Fauzi Rozlan (RM63,628.18), Muhammad Zulfahmi Awang (RM50,000), Muhammad Afiq Azuan (RM32,141.99) and Wan Mohammed Afiq Wan Mohamed Kasbi (RM21,000).

KAFA have to also settle salary arrears to Mohamad Azzrie Aripin (RM4,075); Muhammad Syafiq Syahmi Husin (RM3,877) and Muhammad Fahmi Izzuddin Ab Rahman (RM2,681).

The other players who have also filed claims are Ahmad Fathi Irfan Azlan (RM3,279); Mohamad Fazliera Ezlan Mohd Rosli (RM3,126.25); Ahmad Hamzalah Zulkiflee (RM2,681) and Muhammad Fikri Hakim Kama (RM1,289.50).

Norizam also questioned Malaysia's current 153rd world ranking, which he described as "shameful" and asked who manages and runs the country's football.

Norizam, who is a businessman, paid RM6.8 million to acquire ownership of The Red Warriors (TRW) Sdn Bhd in September last year before he was named as the club's CEO. Kelantan were docked three points for failure to settle players' salary arrears in August, just a month before Norizam came in to save the club.

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