KUALA LUMPUR: "We are really hoping that the appeal that we will be putting forth will get FMLLP’s due consideration and attention, as the RM1.5 million fine can cripple a team,” said Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) secretary-general, Nokman Mustaffa.
He said that with the financial burden and constraints shouldered by the team which only just gained promotion to the Super League, the hefty fine imposed for their failure to complete their Malaysia League (M-League) registration for this season will most definitely be felt.
"We will be making an appeal before March 20 (Tuesday), and we will be taking a closer look at all the information and requirements before the appeal is sent in. If possible, we are hoping that the fine is reduced or better still we are issued with a stern warning, because this is our first offence.
"Bear in mind that we are new team to the top flight after coming up from the Premier League, and we do not have to funds to settle such a hefty fine, so if need be we will have to depend on the FA of Malaysia (FAM) grant to pay for the fine,” he said when contacted earlier today.
According to NSTP Sport’s report yesterday, 10 M-League teams including four Super League teams were handed fines totaling RM9 million by Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) for the offense of failing to complete registration for this season.
Super League teams, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and PKNS FC were handed the heaviest fines, having to pay up RM1.5 million each, while six Premier League teams, Sarawak, Penang, Kuantan FA, Police, Mifa and UKM FC were fined RM500,000 respectively.
The fines were imposed following Kelantan, Kuantan FA, Sarawak and Penang’s failure to complete required documents, while Mifa, UKM, Selangor, PKNS FC, Police and Kuala Lumpur sent their registration documents after the March 5 deadline.
What’s worse is teams that failed to submit the required documents also face another punishment in the form of points deduction of six points, while teams who submitted their documents late will be docked three points each.
Hopwever the points deduction penalty has been postponed to December 31 to provide teams with a second chance.
FMLLP chief executive officer, Kevin Ramalingam announced that all the affected teams can make appeals for lighter punishments.
For Nokman, KLFA have already submitted all the necessary registration documents in stages before March 1 and are now awaiting a response from FMLLP.
"We admit there was a delay in completing all the required documentation and this will be a very stern lesson for us,” he said.
Meanwhile as for the team management of PKNS FC, Mahfizul Rusydin Abd Rashid also admitted that the RM1.5 million fine imposed is very heavy, though he accepts FMLLP’s decision.
"We will be making an appeal, and we hope that it will be duly considered. Teams need a big budget because we’ve also got other teams to run such as the President’s Cup and Youth Cup teams as well as the youth academy that we set up. We will wait and see as to the outcome of our appeal, though whatever it is we will abide by whatever decision is made. We have learnt our lesson from what has happened and we will ensure such mistakes are not repeated in the future,” he stressed.