KUALA LUMPUR: Newly promoted Sarawak United may not even get to kick a ball in the Super League next year.
They face the risk of being barred form the top tier if they do not settle salaries owing to players and officials.
Sarawak United, who finished second in this season's second tier Premier League, are said to owe their team members three months salaries. However, this is not confirmed by the club.
Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer, Stuart Ramalingam said they are monitoring the situation, and there will be a meeting tomorrow between the club and MFL's club licensing department.
Meanwhile, when asked about the poor refereeing during the recent Terengganu vs JDT Malaysia Cup semi-final first leg match, MFL president Datuk Ghani Hassan said "quality is subjective."
"We always discuss with FAM's referee committee but quality is subjective unless there is something pressing.
"It's now the semi-finals, so things are tense. It (refereeing) is also gaining attention," he said.
"But the quality of referees needs to be improved. Hopefully, it will be soon. MFL have taken the initiative to place a referee outside the line behind the goal, and one beside the main referee."
When asked about introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Ghani said: "Venues will need to be ready with system cabling, Wi-Fi.
"But not all clubs have their own stadiums. This has to be taken into consideration as well as financial factors."