KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League's First Instance Body (FIB), which is an independent regulatory body, said today it will investigate the allegation made by KLFA vice president Syed Yazid Syed Omar.
Earlier today, Syed Yazid had questioned FIB's issuance of a M-League playing licence to KL City for the 2024-2025 season despite reports of salary arrears and non-EPF payments since February 2023.
Syed Yazid has also called for "full transparency" on the club licensing documents submitted by KL City to FIB for the 2024-2025 M-League season. Syed Yazid had also said he wanted to seek clarification from FIB on the criteria used for issuing the licence under such circumstances.
FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheik Mohd Sharif, said in a press statement this evening: "The process was based on the following timeline: On August 28, 2023, FIB received a declaration letter from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), sent by KL City, confirming no outstanding payments as of June 30, 2023. This letter was accompanied by an attachment.
"On March 29, another declaration letter from the EPF was received, again from KL City, indicating no outstanding payments as of December 31, 2023. This letter also included an attachment.
"Based on these EPF-issued payment declarations, the FIB found it appropriate to grant the licence to KL City.
"However, discrepancies have arisen following statements from the club's management questioning the authenticity of the documents submitted to the FIB."
Sheikh Mohd Nasir added that FIB will launch an immediate investigation to address these conflicting claims.