Kelantan docked three points for not complying with FIFA order

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- Premier League side Kelantan have been docked three points following a breach in the contract of former technical director, Alfredo Carlo Gonzalez.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general, Stuart Ramalingam confirmed the decision in a statement, saying the decision came from FIFA after the Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) failed to comply with the world governing body’s instructions and the time frame set by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee to settle the claims made by Gonzalez.

Stuart said FAM had forwarded FIFA’s ruling to the Malaysia Football League (MFL) for them to officially inform KAFA of the three-point deduction.

“After what has happened, FAM wish to remind all affiliates not to take such orders from FIFA or AFC (Asian Football Confederation) lightly as their teams will suffer the consequences,” he said.

He explained that Kelantan would still have to settle the claims made by Gonzalez even though they had been docked the three points or face further and heavier punitive action from FIFA.

Gonzalez was appointed technical director by former KAFA president, Tan Sri Annuar Musa in April 2017, but his contract was terminated two months later.

The former Uruguay international reported the matter to FIFA in January 2018.

On March 6, FIFA ordered KAFA to settle all outstanding payments, contract compensation and proceeding costs amounting to RM235,686 within 30 days to Gonzalez.

Instead, KAFA replied on April 3 asking for a 30-day extension following the dispute between KAFA and Kelantan Red Warriors Sdn Bhd (KRW), the company appointed by KAFA to manage the debt accrued by the association.

On April 10, FIFA’s National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC) instructed FAM to deduct three points from Kelantan’s current league campaign, resulting in the Red Warriors dropping one spot to 10th with four points from seven matches.

-- BERNAMA