KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of unpaid salaries is not only plaguing the Super League, but has now spread to the lower levels of Malaysian football.
FA of Malaysia (FAM) vice-president Mohd Firdaus Mohamed said he has received a number of complaints from players and team members of clubs competing in the Youth Cup and President's Cup.
It is understood that some clubs in the two local leagues have outsourced the responsibility of managing their teams in a bid to cut costs.
"I received complaints involving around five teams in the Youth Cup and President's Cup that are facing the issue of unpaid salaries," said Firdaus today.
"I view this very seriously because these young players are our future, and they should be supported and protected.
"I will not hesitate to take action against clubs that are reluctant to pay their players' salaries.
"This is also a reminder to the clubs which have delegated the management of their team to other parties. This is wrong and should not be happening.
"When clubs apply for a national licence from the First Instance Body (FIB), they are required to prepare a development team.
"This (team development) should not be done by handing over the team to someone else. This is one of the reasons behind the unpaid salary issue."
Firdaus added that the brawling incidents happening in the Youth Cup and President's Cup competitions recently could be related to unpaid salaries.
"You have to remember that most of these players are from the B40 group. When their salaries are not paid, they could lose their patience in the pitch," he said.
"This is why I take this issue seriously. This is their source of income and they should not be treated like this," he said.