PETALING JAYA: Kedah have been given the final green light to compete in the 2024-2025 Super League season after settling all their salary arrears but they still face punishment for the delay.
The Malaysian Football League’s (MFL) First Instance Body (FIB) has confirmed that the club have successfully cleared all their debts from the 2023, including the first team, Under-23, Under-20, and Under-18 salary arrears.
However, the FIB maintained the three-point deduction and RM50,000 fine for the Canaries as the club missed the initial deadline to settle the arrears on March 30, before they were given an extension to April 20.
At the same time, FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif said two players in the club, namely naturalised English player Lee Tuck and Brazilian Jonathan Balotelli, have not received their delayed salaries.
“They have not yet received payment due to their cases still being heard by FIFA and the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC).
“But all the arrears as instructed by the FIB have been successfully resolved by Kedah and this allows the club to retain their national licence to compete in the 2024-2025 Super League season,” he said.
Kedah acting chief executive officer Shahrul Samsudin had previously said that the club had settled all their debts on Thursday (April 18).
With the all-clear from the FIB, Kedah can fully channel their focus in preparing for the upcoming season but their pre-season fixtures haven’t been ideal for head coach Nafuzi Zain.
Kedah finished third in the Agarbomb Performance Cup ahead of last-placed Penang. Terengganu took the top spot with TFC 2 coming in second.
Kedah won their first fixture 1-0 with TFC 2 but drew 1-1 with The Turtles. Their final match against Penang went The Black Panthers’ way as they won 3-0 on Sunday.
They will now continue their pre-season fixtures by playing against Negri Sembilan on April 24, Perak (April 27), Penang (April 30), and one more fixture on May 4.
