ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno has condemned Kedah Football Association (KFA) president Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for his hands-off approach to the Kedah FC salary arrears crisis.
Kedah Umno information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin accused the Menteri Besar of trying to "move the goalposts" by questioning the management system of Malaysia's Super League clubs to deflect from his own shortcomings.
Hence, Shaiful demanded Sanusi to take take responsibility for resolving the team's salary arrears.
"We therefore urge all football enthusiasts in the state, supporters' clubs, and the youth to appeal for the Menteri Besar's immediate intervention in resolving this worsening financial crisis.
"Kedah Umno believes that the glory and excellence of the state's football, a favourite sport amongst Kedahans, will continue to fade if no action is taken," he said in a statement today.
Shaiful said the decision to privatise state football without a solid business strategy or proper approach has severely impacted the team.
"Kedah Umno believes the success and smooth operation of other football clubs in states such as Selangor should be emulated as a guideline.
"The question is, why can Selangor, which also follows the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) formats, operate smoothly without any financial problems?
"For example, Selangor has the involvement of a state-owned subsidiary that can provide assistance, even though it does not hold a 100 per cent stake in the company," he added.
Shaiful also questioned the role of the state's executive councillors and the KFA chief executive officer as members of the Kedah FC's board of directors without the involvement of any state-owned subsidiary.
"We are disappointed with the former 'Hijau Kuning' legends who are part of the current Kedah government, standing idle as if accepting the injustice being carried out by Sanusi," he added.
On Sunday, Sanusi claimed the management system used by teams competing in Malaysia's Super League is flawed and only benefits certain clubs.
Sanusi argued the imposition of a uniform management method across all state teams should not have been implemented.
As such, Sanusi called for a review of the management system, which he blamed for issues such as salary arrears that continue to plague several teams, including Kedah FC.