PETALING JAYA: Former national striker Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak has stepped up to be a voice for those unable to speak up for their rights.
After Kuala Lumpur captain Paulo Josue opened up about his unpaid salary arrears, Zaquan has come to the rescue of the other footballers who are forced to keep their lips sealed.
“To all the players, I know you can’t speak up. I will speak a little on your behalf,” said the 36-year-old via his posting on social media.
“This is what happens when players don’t dare to speak or fight about salary issues.
“If they do, then there will be consequences for the next season as the management won’t renew the contract because they don’t want players who speak up.
“Then there will be conditions set in their contract. Those terms state players can’t say anything about the club’s internal issues, such as salary problems,” he said.
Zaquan’s sentiment comes after the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) president Safee Sali was ticked off by the salary issues faced by players in the country.
Zaquan, who ended his footballing career with Negri Sembilan in March, added that it was better for players to speak up instead of keeping mum about the issues.
“It’s better to have players that fight for their salaries and eventually get the issue solved compared to players keeping quiet and facing months of salary arrears,” he said.
“How are teams to become champions if these issues keep repeating?
“I forget, clubs nowadays don’t aim to be champions but are content with being eighth or ninth in the league,” said Zaquan.
He also urged clubs to have members on the board who are knowledgeable about football, not just power-hungry individuals who are just in it for the money.
“For all the clubs, please find a board of directors who know about football.
‘‘Don’t look for those who only want positions of power but draw a blank when asked about players in the team,” he added.
