KUALA LUMPUR: Amid all that talk about Perlis United getting an "extraordinary" licence to play in the Super League, many are left wondering what has happened to all the debts accumulated by their previous administration?
Recently, there have been reports about Perlis FA raising RM25 million from sponsors to be eligible to play in the league. But no one in Perlis FA is talking about paying their former players the salaries owing.
So, why is there talk about the Super League door being opened for Perlis United when their state FA still owes former players and coaches from the 2019 squad hundreds of thousands of ringgit?
Sports observer, Datuk Dr. Pekan Ramli, said the Malaysian Football League's (MFL) "inconsistency" in their policies will come back to haunt them one day.
"Actually, Perlis have not qualified for the 2024-2025 season. They need to prove they have the funds. We need to see the money in the account, then we can reopen this story.
"Otherwise we will see another 'scam' like in 2019.
"It's a big risk for MFL because it could backfire on our football administrators."
An exasperated Pekan added: "We can only give our opinions. It's up to them to take them or not since they are 'smarter'.
"We might think it's a weird, stupid, awkward, unprofessional and an unfair decision. But they (MFL) do not want to heed our advice. It's okay. That is their right but this makes them appear inconsistent with the constant rule changes.
"And why is this happening? It will open doors for speculation."
"Something like an extraordinary licence for Perlis to compete in the Super League has never happened before in any other major leagues around the world. Only Malaysia has this because Malaysia Boleh!
"The teams are merely changing skin' but the salary arrears still go unpaid. It's s unfair to players, coaches and officials who fell victims to these 'scammers'.
"All of a sudden we see a bit of a name change and now they are playing in the M3 League followed by a licence to play in the Super League.
They did not even finish in the top three of the amateur league and yet, they are 'promoted' to the first division.
"If this happen, then netizens are just waiting to say 'big war is coming, you'll see' and 'you ask for it'," said Pekan.
In contrast, Pekan applauded the Melaka FA (MAFA) for withdrawing themselves as a candidate for a Super League licence. "Whatever it is, thank you MAFA, because they are sensitive to the issue and are determined to qualify on merit.
"They could have asked for the same treatment as that of the land of dreams (Perlis)," said Pekan.
In 2019, the Perlis FA team were expelled from the Premier League. The Northern Lions made their return to the M-League when they were granted a slot in the 2022 M3 League.