KUALA LUMPUR: FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Amin has denied that the national association owes Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim money.
Hamidin's denial came yesterday following Tunku Ismail's interview with a television station. It is learnt that the Johor Crown Prince advanced to FAM RM12 million of his own money to help FAM settle its debts when he was FAM president from 2017-2018.
Hamidin, who was a former Malaysian Football League (MFL) president, said maybe the money that Tunku Ismail was referring to was the prize money that has not been settled.
"There isn't any (money owing to Tunku Ismail), I'm not sure if there is, but in my opinion, maybe it's MFL and the prize money," said Hamidin during his Hari Raya open house in Denai Alam yesterday.
"Maybe the prize money hasn't been dispersed, but it's almost there because when I was the (MFL) president last time, it was this (issue), but not with FAM though.
"(The media) have to get clarification from MFL president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan."
On a separate issue, Hamidin said JDT's domination of the Super League is a normal thing that happens around the world.
"If we look at leagues like La Liga, there are elite teams, and there are a few others with strength in their infrastructure and their games.
"Look at the leagues, there are lower and mid-class teams but there are also teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid. So, we cannot run away from this phenomenon.
"Should the field of play be improved, it would improve the quality of football, and this goes on to the national team."
Hamidin said Tunku Ismail's proposal for a forum among M-League's chief executive officers and club owners is something the MFL is doing on a regular basis through MFL CEO Stuart Ramalingam and Ghani.
"I think Stuart has meetings with them online or in person, but maybe not with the owners, and these are his thoughts (Tunku Ismail). For the physical meetings or online, Stuart and Ghani have done it plenty of times."