KUALA LUMPUR: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) and Malaysian Football League (MFL) may face action from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) if cases of unpaid salaries plague the M-League.
And if things do not improve, FAM and MFL risk losing their authority to grant national licences to M-League clubs, said AFC.
FAM, one of the 47 member associations of AFC, delegated club licensing powers to MFL, the administrator of the M-League, in 2022.
However, cases of unpaid salaries in the M-League have become commonplace, with the latest involving KL City captain Paulo Josue who alleged that he has not been paid for seven months.
The AFC has now issued a stern warning to FAM and MFL to address the problem promptly.
"If salary arrears continue, FAM and MFL will lose their authority to issue national licences. Should the matter become severe, the AFC will intervene," said AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John.
He said football clubs are like businesses, and players, both local and foreign, are employees with rights that must be protected.
"Players can pursue all avenues to get paid. Local players are protected by labour laws, and it's important to remember that they are workers too," said Windsor.
He added that if internal processes fail to resolve salary disputes, players can seek help from bodies such as the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia.
"If a club lacks the financial stability to pay its players, it has no business being in football," said Windsor.
"Club owners need to be realistic. If they can't pay their workers, they shouldn't start a football club."
Prior to reports of Josue's unpaid wages at KL City, other M-League clubs, including Sabah, Kedah, KL City and Sri Pahang were reported to be facing financial difficulties.