PFAM won't agree to any pay cut

THE Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) are against any pay cut and insisted that players’ contracts with M-League teams be honoured.

The was stated by PFAM in a statement yesterday amid speculation of disagreement on the issue between the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and Malaysian Football League (MFL), who are the league administrator.

PFAM, led by their president, Safee Sali, who is also a PJ City striker, laid out 25 points as to why the footballers do not agree to any salary reduction during the M-League suspension and Movement Control Order (MCO) caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

“We (PFAM) have agreed to take the stand of not agreeing to any pay cut and that our contracts should be fulfilled.”

The 25-point statement, which also stressed on the difficult times professional players are facing, was co-written by PFAM members, including national footballers Shahrul Saad, Farizal Marlias and former internationals Shahrom Kalam, Razman Roslan, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Zaquan Adha Radzak and S. Subramaniam.

“We stand by the contract that needs to be honoured and respected like what was agreed especially when it comes to payment.

“We, as professional footballers, are also affected by this situation. With the implementation of the MCO, we are tied to various commitments and the truth is there are additional costs in our daily lives.

“It needs to be reminded that not all of the players earn big salaries and the need for it is important especially now.

“There are extra expenditures when it comes to maintaining a household, there are some who have to support family members who don’t have income during MCO and have other personal issues.”

The PFAM also drew attention to the issue of Kelantan’s President’s and youth teams not receiving their 2019 salaries, as well as Melaka United’s failure to settle salaries arrears.

The PFAM statement came following FAM and MFL’s pleas to M-League teams and clubs to hold open discussions with players in regard to financial matters as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.