THIS will kick up a frown. Melaka United FC are reported to be signing new players when they have been prohibited by world football governing body, Fifa, from doing so.
After Melaka's failure to pay their former player, Narupon Wild of Thailand, RM241,726.69 in salary owing, Fifa are said to have put a ban on Melaka signing players during the M-League midseason transfer window (May 3-30).
Last year, Fifa ordered Melaka United to pay Narupon within 45 days, commencing Nov 12.
Last Wednesday, it was reported that Melaka United will sign up two players to replace Stefan Nikolic from Montenegro and Alex Goncalves from Brazil.
Melaka FC chief executive Datuk Saiful Mat Sapri was quoted in the media as saying that one of the two new imports is already in Malaysia, under quarantine.
There is also talk of the Mousedeer getting players on loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim, including Safiq Rahim.
However, this begs the question how can Melaka United be allowed to sign players when they are supposed to be facing a Fifa transfer ban?
And can Melaka still get players on loan?
Commercial and sports lawyer Nik Erman Nik Roseli of Amir Khusyairi & Associates, who has shared his expertise with the FA of Malaysia, said a club serving a transfer ban, cannot register players on loan.
He referred to article 10 of the Fifa regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players 2021 — a player can be loaned out to another club but is subject to the same rules that apply to a transfer of player.
"So, if a particular club is banned from transfers, then the same rules apply to receiving players on loan," he said.
"If they can't receive players on transfer, they can't receive players on loan."
In the case of the two Brazilians, Melaka United can take the step of deregistering them and appealing for the duo to be re-registered if the ban is lifted.
It remains unclear whether Melaka United will face Fifa action for allegedly signing players despite the transfer ban.
It is learnt that, upon receiving a "reminder" from FAM regarding the player transfer ban, Melaka United started the process of paying Narupon yesterday.
"Today (yesterday), we will make payment. This is something we are aware of, and later I will instruct Musa (Melaka United Soccer Association) to settle the payment," he said.
However, according to Malaysian banking system, an online transfer has a daily limit of RM30,000 and should that apply, it will take an estimated eight days to pay Narupon.
Though there are only 11 days left to the end of the transfer window, Saiful remains optimistic (that the full payment will be completed).
"I am optimistic we will settle this matter." said Saiful who resigned from his Melaka United chief executive post yesterday, hours after giving an interview to Timesport.
After 13 games, Melaka United are second last in the 12-team competition with 11 points from three wins and five draw.