Football

A better way to pay M-League referees

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) will change the system in paying their referees.

Currently, the M-League uses a "pay and claim" method where clubs pay the referees first and claim later from the league administrators.

However, the system proved to be inefficient as some teams failed to submit their documentation properly, and ended up receiving their claims late.

MFL chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said they had spoken to FA of Malaysia (FAM) referees committee chairman Datuk S. Sivasundaram and referee unit head Kassim Kadir Bacha on the matter.

He said a new system of payment to match officials could be implemented after the next international break on May 30-June 14.

"We know the 'pay and claim' method, which was used before, is not efficient and causes issues.

"We had discussed with the FAM referees' committee for a solution. We now aim to make direct payment and streamline the process." said Stuart.

"Unfortunately, we will not start the new payment system when the M-League kicks off. There's some arrangement that needs to be done administratively and there's a lot of planning needed especially the logistics of referees travelling for matches.

"We believe that after the Fifa international break, we can implement the new system. This period allows us time to put things in order."

Stuart added that the issue between Premier League club Kelantan and MFL over unpaid referees' allowances due to miscommunication has also been settled.

Kelantan FC owner Norizam Tukiman had alleged that MFL had failed to settle their referees' allowances, totalling RM79,286.68 from the 2021 season.

However, it is learnt from sources in Kelantan that the claims from the team were incomplete, leading to a delay in payment from MFL.

Stuart, however, said MFL had considered the matter settled, and Kelantan will get their referees' allowances soon.

"There was a miscommunication between both parties and the matter has been solved amicably," he added.

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