JUST GET RID OF THIS 'VIRUS' FROM THE M-LEAGUE

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By Tony Mariadass

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world to its knees and pay great attention to overcome the disease, to make the world a safe and free place again.

It has not spared anyone or anything in the world, including the much loved game of football, which a big industry and has a huge following.

Worldwide it has affected the game with Leagues, championships and training all coming to a halt, with no clue when it will resume or at worst scenario, see it scrapped for this season.

It is no different in Malaysia, where the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and Malaysian Football League (MFL), taking a serious view where safety and lives of players, coaches, officials and fans, is bigger than the game.

With the halt of all football tournaments at all levels until further notice, with the announcement of the government on the movement control order (MCO) last week till March 31, Malaysian football is in dire straits.

By the looks of it, the MCO could well be extended or even drastic measures taken, if pleas by the Government to adhere strictly to their call to “stay at home” is not taken seriously.

While the economy and the citizens are going to suffer during this period, football is not going to be spared either.

State FAs are already thinking of players pay-cuts, complaining of loss of income having to play in empty stadiums and the tournament suspended temporarily.

While Covid-19 has been cruel to mankind, maybe it is time for FAM and MFL to do likewise to be cruel to be kind.

State FAs and clubs cannot continue to run or depend on FAM or MFL for subsidies to run their teams or each time there is ‘Force Majeure ‘or ‘Act of God’.

While some teams and players around the world are donating to help fight the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, here in Malaysia teams are using it as an excuse to cut wages of players and asking for handouts, as players’ survival is under threat.

Yes, the English Football League announced a 50 million pound (RM253) relief package to assist financially stricken clubs during the league shutdown, but it was to assist the lower division clubs.

The Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) through its president Safee Sali, has come out with a strong stand to say they do not agree with salary cut which would affect the livelihood of footballers.

Safee had said that the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) has said that there was no need for players to take a pay cut for league suspension.

He further added that pay cuts are not stated in the players’ contract.

This reminder to teams was also made by FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam who said will keep a close watch.

MFL chief executive officer Datuk Ghani Hassan also issued the same warning and said they will make sure all teams adhere to the contracts of the players.

It brings us to the question of how many of the teams in the M-League are really worthy to be in the League and are financially sound.

We still have teams docked of points for failing to settle arrears of salaries and teams complaining they are not financially sound.

Another new issue is several teams are complaining that their presidents from the previous government, can no longer bring them the finance to sustain their teams.

States and clubs still depending on political connections for their funding?

How does this make the State or club worthy of managing their teams without any financially hitches?

How did these teams get approval to be in the M-League?

Thus, it has come the time to get rid of teams who do not have the means, able to manage a team professionally and who are in the game for the personal gain and glory of a few of their officials, to be shown the exit to play in the amateur League.

I have said this many times and I am stating it again - if only eight teams meet all the requirements of a professional team and can run their team like a business venture, then so be it for the M-League.

They have to start emulating Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) to become a powerhouse and put up a strong challenge in the League.

And officials who wear more than one hat in the football setup, have to make a decision where they want to be and cannot be in both place as it tantamount to conflict of interest.

Lastly, if it means FAM has to run the M-League, so be it. After all they have the staff in numbers to manage it and have done it before. It is pointless in having duplication of bodies and having conflict of interest.

Ends.