PETALING JAYA, Feb 12 — Armed Forces players are finally set to receive their outstanding payments, but they will only be paid based on their official contracts instead of the “under-table” deals with The Gladiators. 

“FAM will take the club’s grant to settle players’ outstanding payments, which is only owed for the month of November. This is based on their official contract,” said FAM status committee deputy chairman Abdul Aziz Yeop Jamaludin.

We’re not recognising the other contracts, and if the players still want to pursue that in court, they can go ahead.”

On Tuesday, the Professional Association Footballers Malaysia (PFAM) highlighted the plight of 15 Armed Forces players who were owed salaries for six months amounted to RM3.7 million after their contracts expired in December.

But Forces had only owed their players for November based on the official contract with FAM, which was over RM400,000. Besides the official contract, the club also had a second contract with their players so that they could pay less income tax and EPF. 

“FAM will settle their payments in two weeks, after the due process has been done with the finance department. This is including their former coach Satiananthan’s salary.

“We’ll use the team’s existing grant should they fail to pay their players, and if the grant is no longer valid, we’ll refer them to the disciplinary committee,” said Abdul Aziz, who will hold a dialogue session with all clubs regarding dual contracts and late payments.

“If they still do not adhere to the rules, then action will be taken. The Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership have already suggested points deductions and expulsions, which will be further discussed in the congress next month.”

Former Kelantan player Gilmar Jose Da Filho would receive RM89,000 by April.

“Gilmar has agreed to it. As for the other players, the appeal committee are looking into it and decide soon,” said Abdul Aziz. 

Cases involving Mohd Azrul Ahmad with Felda United as well as Kelantan’s Steve Darby, who is still owed RM636,000, were also being reviewed. 

Abdul Aziz advised players to be present along with the team’s secretaries when a situation like this occurs again.

“The players will be able to give us a better idea because they were in thick of things. The secretaries should also come along because they handle the contract. PFAM officials can accompany players, but we need representatives from the clubs as well.”