Sathianathan and James in action in one of the league matches in 2013
PETALING JAYA: A stellar name in Malaysian football, Marlon Alex James, has lamented about not receiving his six months salary from his former employer Armed Forces after retiring last season
James, a former St Vincent and Grenadines international, left the Armed Forces due to an injury and subsequently retired from football. He claimed that the club promised they would compensate his full contract although he left in April.
James decided to leave because he felt the injury would hinder the team's progress, thus allowing it to sign a new foreign striker.
"I felt they needed a new import to stay in the Super League
”The team did stay in league but before I left, I was promised my full year contract but I only received my salary for the first six months of the year.
“At the end of the season, all the players including local and imports were paid except for Marlon Alex James. What did I do to deserve such a treatment?” he said.
James said he had contacted the Armed Forces to demand for the salary but was told to contact the team’s sponsor.
”All the foreign players dealt with the club and did not have any problems getting their salary.
"Even Australian defender Spase Dilevski, who left midway through the season, received his full salary,” he said.
To make matters worse, the bank has threatened to sell his house in St Vincent and Grenadines as he has not paid two months of his loan.
“My home could be sold by the local bank here. I got a 75% loan for my house and in the last two months, I did not pay my loan. If the Armed Forces do not pay me, I might lose my house,” lamented James.
Armed Forces manager and head coach B. Sathianathan said James' contract was terminated because of medical reasons and asked The Star to refer to the top management as they negotiated the contract.
“He met my bosses and negotiated with them. During the negotiations, the bosses were kind enough to pay until the end of his contract.
“For Marlon’s issue, you should talk to the top management and get their comments,” said Sathianathan.
The office of the club president and secretary-general did not answer The Star’s calls.
James enjoyed a successful period with Kedah FA in Malaysia between 2006 and 2008 when he helped the northern side to two successive trebles (FA Cup, Super League and Malaysia Cup) in 2007 and 2008.
He left the club in 2008 after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) barred foreign players from competing.
James returned to Malaysia to join the Armed Forces in 2012 and made an instant impact when the team won the Malaysian Premier League.
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