KUALA LUMPUR: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) has taken note of the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) warning regarding unpaid wages in the M-League.
The AFC has warned that FAM and M-League operator Malaysian Football League (MFL) risk losing their authority to grant national licences to M-League clubs due to these issues.
FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said that they will work closely with MFL to find a solution for the ongoing issue of unpaid wages.
"It's a reminder from AFC as they see the M-League is not healthy. It's a reminder to take necessary steps to remedy the league, as salary issues are quite obvious this season," said Yusoff.
"FAM and MFL need to find a solution or the best mechanism to ensure we are on the right track.
"We have had this issue for a long time, but this time it looks more severe... AFC has given us an early signal to prevent the situation from becoming worse."
"The message must reach the clubs. We have imposed various punishments against errant clubs, including expulsion from the Super League, but it still happens.
"They seem to forget their responsibility and their financial situation."
This season, several M-League clubs are allegedly facing difficulties paying their players' wages, with the latest case involving KL City captain Paulo Josue, who claimed he has not been paid for seven months.
Yusoff said that clubs need to plan their finances properly and must always spend within their means.
"Most clubs have this assumption that sponsors will come once the season starts, but when sponsors don't deliver or pull out, the clubs end up with problems.
"They seem to prepare and plan based on assumptions, with no actual money on the table," he said.
"This has been happening for the last two to three years. The clubs must spend within their means. Things need to be done to make the league healthy."