Diligent: Giancarlo Gallifuoco training as usual ahead of the match against Selangor. — Kuala Lumpur City FC
PETALING JAYA: After months without salary, one would think it would be all doom and gloom in the Kuala Lumpur camp.
Not really. The players were still smiling and laughing as they went about the training at the KNS Sports Complex in Kelana Jaya.
Despite not being paid for months due to off-the-field tussles, the boys know they are playing the game they love and have a task ahead, which is the Super League Klang Valley derby against Selangor at the Cheras Football Stadium tomorrow.
Australian centreback Giancarlo Gallifuoco, who has been with the club for four seasons, has been the glue in terms of harmony and togetherness.
But even he admits that things have been tough for them because of the financial issues.
“I am not going to lie, we are not as prepared as we can be. I understand that is going to make headlines, but it is what it is,” said the 30-year-old.
“We are fighting a lot more battles off the field than on the field. It would be naive to say that is not going to affect us in this huge derby game.
“The boys are doing their absolute best to be as focused as possible on the game but our journey is tougher than Selangor’s.
“Regardless of that, we will turn up on that day and give our best. It would be a beautiful story if we could get three points on that day.”
Gallifuoco has a great rapport with the fans of the club and has always stated his love for the city but the financial situation remains a thorn, especially as the top management has not addressed the situation..
“People have issues, people have families, people have stressors. We haven’t had any assurances yet. Nobody has spoken to us yet.
“There is no clarity from the top management other than Stanley (Bernard Samuel) who has always sympathised with the players and tried to be a middleman.
“You cannot call these players selfish, mercenaries or money-minded. They are working every single day, maxing themselves out and unfortunately, they are not getting repaid.”
Kuala Lumpur are fifth in the league with four points from three games, while Selangor are second with nine points.
Upstaging the Red Giants would surely cheer the Kuala Lumpur camp, but Gallifuoco is also hoping a win would galvanise the management into shedding some light on their financial situation.
Better yet, they could just pay the players their salaries.
