KUALA LUMPUR: As the unpaid salary issues spread from the Super League to Youth Cup (Under-18) and President's Cup (Under-20) teams of M-League clubs, FAM is considering "moving the problem" away.
This could lead to the Youth Cup and President's Cup teams returning to state FAs and managed by them. FAM hopes this will solve the perennial issues of unpaid salaries.
FAM deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said they are aware that several Super League clubs have run into problems paying salaries to players from their youth squads.
He said FAM will consider several proposals to improve the situation. "We cannot make hasty decisions. A proper review and study is needed if the Youth Cup and President's Cup teams are placed back under the care of state FAs," he said.
Earlier, the media reported that the unpaid salary crisis involving several Super League teams has now spread to teams competing in the Youth Cup and President's Cup.
This situation was acknowledged by FAM local competitions committee chairman Firdaus Mohamed. He revealed that some clubs have "outsourced" the responsibility of managing the President's Cup and Youth Cup teams to outside parties to reduce operational costs.
But this has resulted in unpaid salaries when the outside party "abandoned" the club, leaving the club's owner to bear the responsibility.