KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur FA (KLFA) vice president Syed Yazid Syed Omar has called for "full transparency" on the club licensing documents submitted by KL City FC to the Malaysian Football League's First Instance Body (MFL-FIB) for the 2024-2025 M-League season.
Syed Yazid, also a director of KL United FC Sdn Bhd, which manages KL City FC, expressed concerns over the issuance of a playing licence to KL City (to compete in the M-League) despite reports of salary arrears and non-EPF payments since February 2023.
"As the club is 100 per cent owned by KLFA and managed by KL United FC Sdn Bhd, we are fully aware of our financial challenges. It's daunting to meet the financial requirements of the Super League amid such liabilities.
"I intend to review the documents submitted for the licensing. Discovering that there are outstanding EPF payments dating back to February 2023 was alarming.
"I will seek clarification from FIB on the criteria used for issuing the licence under such circumstances," said Syed Yazid today.
When asked if he had contacted FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif on the matter, Syed Yazid responded in the negative. But he said it's important to have transparency in football governance.
"In football, transparency is crucial. The discrepancy between what is reported, and what players and management are aware of needs clarification. Players should feel empowered to raise such issues."
Syed Yazid noted that no formal complaints had been lodged by local players with the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia, and he encouraged them to speak up.
Recently, KL City captain Paulo Josue revealed that he has not been paid his salaries for seven months, The club's management responded by pledging to settle the salary arrears by next week.
Meanwhile KLFA acting president Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said the association's internal problems need to be addressed.
Sani said the KLFA congress on Sept 7 will focus on several pressing matters, including salary arrears, audit reports and financial growth.
He also said that the power struggles in KLFA need to be resolved.
"We're committed to addressing these issues collectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, particularly in settling salary arrears," he said.