FIFA have ordered Pahang FA (PFA) to pay their former player, Mohamadou Sumareh US$1.2 million (RM4.9 million).
Fifa, it is learnt, made the decision after Sumareh lodged a complaint with the world federation over unpaid salaries.
The Gambian-born Sumareh, who is a naturalised national player for Malaysia, left Pahang in August last year after claiming the club had failed to pay his salary in accordance with his contract.
Sumareh's contract with PFA, it is alleged, stipulated a US$5,000 (RM20,362) increment per annum after his second year with the Elephants.
However, Sumareh claimed that his salary had remained stagnant after joining them in 2017.
The US$1.2 million sum, announced by Fifa, is an accumulation of the annual increments owing plus the breach of contract for 2020 and 2021. It is the largest amount won by a player in the M-League.
After leaving the Pahang team amid much controversy, Sumareh joined Thai team, Police Tero FC, for a short stint last year before returning to Malaysia.
It is learnt that Sumareh will soon be announced by Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) as their new signing for this year.
Timesport's attempts to reach Sumareh and PFA for comments yesterday were unsuccessful.
It is learnt that PFA can ask Fifa the grounds for the decision and they have 10 days from the date of the decision to do so.
Based on the grounds given by Fifa, PFA could appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Otherwise, they have 45 days to settle the amount owing.
Failure to do so could see PFA being slapped with a registration ban for the next transfer window or deduction of league points.
Prior to Sumareh's case, the biggest amount awarded by Fifa in the M-League was to Kelantan's former player Cassio de Jesus.
Kelantan FA were ordered to pay RM629,620.28 to Brazilian Jesus who played for the Red Warriors in 2018 and 2019 before joining Indonesia's Barito Putra.