MFL First Instance Body (FIB) Club Licensing decided that Kelantan FC failed to obtain a National License thus seeing them ineligible to compete in the Liga Super Malaysia season 2024/25
MFL FIB Committer had a meeting which was held online on 31 December 2023 after 6:00 pm and decided not to grant a national license to Kelantan FC due to financial problems.
This decision was made because Kelantan FC has failed to complete two Financial Criteria under sub-criteria F.04 (No Payables Overdue Towards Employees, LHDN, KWSP, PERKESO & EIS – As At June) and sub-criteria F.11 (No Payables Overdue Towards Employees, LHDN, EPF, SOCSO & EIS – As At August) before the set deadline of 30 November 2023 and 31 December 2023.
On 1 November 2023, the FIB has agreed to extend the time for Kelantan FC to complete the First Step for sub-criteria F.04 until 15 November 2023 to settle all current salary arrears until August 2023.
While the Second Step for sub-criteria F.11 for the resolution (5) of five FIFA cases that have a decision until 31 August 2023 must be resolved before or on 31 December 2023.
However, for the First Step to resolve sub-criteria F.04, on 15 November 2023 Kelantan FC appealed to be given an extension of time until 30 November 2023 to complete the instructions.
The FIB accepted this appeal but at the same time imposed a fine on Kelantan FC of RM20,000 as well as player transfer restrictions in the next transfer window until all FIFA cases are fully resolved.
On December 1, 2023 after the deadline of November 30 given by the FIB, Kelantan FC has sent an attachment of proof document showing “post dated cheque”.
However, the MFL asked Kelantan FC to send additional proof, which is a payment receipt showing that the check has been cleared.
On 10 December 2023, the FIB received a document claimed to be proof of the payment of Kelantan FC players and officials for the month of August 2023, but the FIB found that the evidence was still insufficient to comply with the first condition given to Kelantan FC.
The FIB has also carried out a joint review with the Professional Football Players Association of Malaysia (PFAM) and the Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (PJBM) to ensure that salary payments have been made by Kelantan FC.
However, after a review was made, there are some players and officials who have not yet received their August 2023 salaries for a number of reasons. Kelantan FC has contacted the MFL and sent a new check as well as made an online payment to some of the players and officials involved. Kelantan FC then sent proof of new payment receipts for review by the FIB and found that seven players and one official have not yet received their full salary for the month of August 2023 due to the issue of contract termination between players or officials with Kelantan FC.
MFL asked Kelantan FC to send supporting documents on 18 December 2023 for all seven players and one official involved for review by the FIB. After receiving the documents from Kelantan FC on 18 December 2023, there are still incomplete supporting documents for one player and one official.
Next for the Second Step, the FIB ordered Kelantan FC to explain all (5) five FIFA cases that had a decision before 31 August 2023 before or on 31 December 2023 at 5:00 pm, however the FIB did not receive any documents until the deadline.
Kelantan FC also did not send proof of monthly installment payment receipts according to the schedule set by EPF and SOCSO for arrears until August 2023.
After failing to complete Step One and Step Two on 30 November 2023 and 31 December 2023, Kelantan FC failed to obtain a National License for the Super League competition in the 2024/25 season.
However, Kelantan FC was given the opportunity to submit an appeal to the MFL Club Licensing Appeals Body before the deadline on 8 January 2024 before 5.00 pm. against the FIB’s decision to reject their application for a National License.
Source : MFL
Credit Photo : Kelantan FC
