KUALA LUMPUR: "Assalamualaikum, I am about to sniff glue; please suggest what is good, Mr Norizam (Kelantan FC owner)."
These are allegedly among the WhatsApp conversations of players in the Red Warriors FC which have leaked on social media.
The excessive pressure of unpaid wages is said to have imposed a significant burden on those involved, leading to some players even hinting to substance abuse.
"We have to wait until each car needs to be towed; each person has to be evicted from the house one by one..," said one post allegedly by a Kelantan FC player.
"Assalamualaikum, boss, my grandmother needs to get medicine from the clinic; I need money," said another post.
Earlier, Arena Metro reported that the owner of Kelantan FC, Norizam Tukiman said that they had settled the overdue salaries for their players.
"Firstly, we have settled all the salaries and anything related to seven players, and everything is resolved. Secondly, concerning the coach, that is also settled.
"The salaries for August 2023 are settled; everything is resolved. The mutual agreement is also settled. We have been given the opportunity to appeal, and we will make an appeal as well (to the Malaysian Football League to stay in the Super League)," he said when contacted by Arena Metro.