KUALA LUMPUR – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has assured that Kuala Lumpur City FC will get back on track after going through a tough period of financial difficulties in recent months.
Scoop previously reported concerns regarding KL City FC’s financial stability, leaving players with unpaid dues.
The club has also been instructed by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to make the first salary payment amounting to 50% by March 15 and a full settlement on or before March 29.
Failure to make the payment according to the stipulated timelines will result in the club receiving a transfer ban with a fine, or facing revocation of their national licence by the first-instance body.
Fahmi, who is also the patron of KL City FC, said that it is his responsibility to save the club from the ongoing financial crisis and bring them back to where they belong.
“I was appointed as the club patron in June last year, and it’s my duty to ensure that everything goes well in the club as KL City FC is the biggest football club in the capital city, and I have to protect it at any cost.
“A few weeks ago, several parties including members from the Kuala Lumpur Football Association and KL City FC came to meet me and discussed their concerns related to the club.
“A couple of days ago, I also had a meeting with the club’s chief executive officer, Stanley Bernard, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh to smoothen the salary issue process.
“It’s my duty to fulfil our promise to the players. I want to make sure that KL City is prepared to begin their new season, and next week I will go down to the training sessions myself and check out how the team preparation is going on.
“I haven’t had a chance to meet or discuss with the chief executive officer of MFL, Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, but the mayor told me that MFL has agreed to give us the time to resolve the matter.
“So, God willing, we will pay off anything that is owed, especially to the players in the days to come,” said Fahmi when he was met at the ‘Teh Hijau Kuala Lumpur’ programme at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium today.
Meanwhile, club CEO Stanley expressed his gratitude for the communications minister’s willingness to step in to help the club and believes that this move will help the club to attract more investors in the days to come.
“We are really grateful to Fahmi and the trust that he has given to us based on our performance and success that we have shown on the pitch over the past three years.
“I believe KL City has always been performing on merit, and I always thought that something was missing as when we look back at the history, the Kuala Lumpur mayors have always been the club’s main support.
“We thank Fahmi, who is also the club’s patron, for stepping into the scene and ensuring that now we will have more attractions and proximity with all our investors for our fundings in the days to come,” added Stanley.
Despite their financial issues, KL City FC maintained their mid-table grip in the Super League last season as they finished seventh with 38 points.
In 2021, the club under the guidance of Bojan Hodak made waves by lifting the Malaysia Cup, outperforming their limited budget to defeat powerhouses Johor Darul Ta’zim in the final.
The Croatian’s cup-winning team featured experienced players such as Safee Sali, Shukor Adan, and Indra Putra Mahayuddin. – March 16, 2024