KUALA LUMPUR: The ‘stubbornness’ of a few Malaysia League (M-League) teams in using old contracts to tie down players is seen as the reason behind why there is conflict, because they are still practising matters that have been eliminated.
Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) chief executive officer, Izham Ismail explained that such a problem should not be happening as players contracts have been improved with the use and implementation of new standards following the memorandum of understanding signed between the association and the FA of Malaysia (FAM) last year.
"Among the matters agreed upon to ensure players new contracts are better is to have the clause which allows players contracts to be terminated on grounds of injury and performance in line with the terms in the Players Transfer and Status Rules issued globally by Fifa.
"FAM also issued a circular on December 26 last year so that all teams that are competing in the M-League use new contracts for the coming season where if teams wish to extend or sign new contracts with any players, therefore the new contracts must be used and come into immediate effect.
"However, the circular underlined that contracts that have been signed by players and teams, or contracts that still tie players and teams, therefore both sides or parties must respect and adhere to the existing contracts,” he said via a statement earlier today (Tuesday).
Therefore, Izham urged all teams to use and implement new contracts for the coming transfer window that will open on May 14 to smoothen the transition in using and implementing of new contracts.
"Even though the circular has been issued for quite some time now, though based on reports received up to now (April, 2018), there are still players and teams who are using old contracts.
"So we are hoping the new contracts can be used to ensure that the players welfare are not compromised in any way, and to further improve on the level of professionalism in Malaysian football in the future.
"At the same time, the existence of new contracts is also to ensure contracts are balanced, fair and signed in the best interests of both sides involved,” he said.
PFAM’s statement follows the drastic actions taken by the FA of Kelantan (KAFA) in dropping a few of their players and not issuing official letters on the termination of their contracts which was deemed unprofessional.