PETALING JAYA: Kedah’s recent huge defeat to Pahang in the Super League did not come as a big surprise.
The demoralised players and coaching staff are still waiting for their wages from the club, with the number of outstanding months still undisclosed.
It’s different for Pahang though as their salary arrears had been paid and no wonder they did well to serve up a 6-0 thrashing of Kedah on Tuesday.
Kedah did receive some incentives in the month of Ramadan but they were from generous supporters.
It is learnt that it has been more than nine months since they were paid by the club but the management and owner Tan Sri Mohd Daud Bakar are still working to secure the funds necessary to pay the players and obtain the club’s licence for the Super League 2025-2026 season.
The Canaries’ interim coach Victor Andrag did not divulge much but admitted the team were aware of what had been happening behind the scenes.
“I’m actually grateful that these players continue to show up for games and even the training sessions. It is not easy for anyone. Only we know what is happening behind the scenes,” said Victor.
Kedah are currently sitting 11th in the league with 20 points from 22 games. Before the season started, they were deducted three points due to unpaid salary arrears.
Kelantan are also impacted by salary issues.
Defender Hafizal Mohd Alias however said the management were expected to present a solution by end of April. They are at the bottom of the league with seven points from 21 matches.
Meanwhile, sixth-placed Kuala Lumpur with 28 points from 22 games are gradually resolving their salary arrears for players but they still owe them for a few months.
They too were deducted points, six to be precise, for false documentation midway through the season.
Even Perak, positioned seventh in the league with 27 points, are rumoured to owe players and coaches as much as four months’ wages.
Coach Yusri Che Lah hinted at ongoing issues behind the scenes after beating Kuala Lumpur 2-1 on Tuesday.
“We only have two games left. Only we know what’s happening inside. I urge them to forget about what’s going on and focus on achieving positive results,” he said.
“People will take notice when these boys give their best on the pitch.”
This season, salary disputes took centre stage, raising concerns that clubs may not be able to secure licenses to compete in the next season due to these problems.
If that occurs, the number of teams in the league will be significantly reduced. However, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) have indicated that teams have until April 30 to resolve their issues.
While the outlook appears grim, players and coaches remain hopeful that their challenges will come to an end soon.
