File photo of Perak coach Yusri Che Lah celebrating with Clayton Silva after thrashing Kelantan 7-0 in the Super League this year. — Perak/Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Perak could be staring at a bleak future as rumours are growing stronger of a complete closure of their professional football club next season.
It is understood that the Perak management recently held a meeting with players, revealing that only 20% of their outstanding six-month salary arrears would be paid.
The news has left many in the squad disillusioned, with several already instructing agents to find them new clubs for the 2025 season.
Adding to the uncertainty, sources indicate that the current club leadership is exploring the possibility of selling the team, or worse, shutting it down entirely.
This latest development comes in the wake of Perak’s failure to register teams for the President and Youth Cups for the 2025 campaign, fuelling speculation that the once-proud Seladang could be on the brink of collapse.
Despite financial struggles off the pitch, the northern outfit showed resilience this season by finishing seventh with 30 points, a notable improvement from their 11th-place finish with just 22 points in 2023.
Frustration has begun to spill into the public eye. Brazilian striker Clayton Silva took to social media to call out the club’s leadership, pleading for accountability.
"We remained professional until the end. We honoured our contracts and gave everything for the Perak jersey. Now, please honour our salaries," he posted on his Instagram.
Even head coach Yusri Che Lah has previously alluded to off-field troubles but praised his players for staying committed and seeing the season through.
For now, Perak fans are left waiting, hoping that the curtain doesn’t fall on one of Malaysian football’s most storied clubs.
