THE monetary woes plaguing the M-League continues after the FA of Malaysia’s referee committee disclosed state FAs and clubs still owe match officials throughout the recently concluded season amounting to more than RM20,000.

In his first meeting as chairman of the referees committee, Datuk Seri Raja Ahmad Zainuddin was notified that five affiliates have yet to pay the wages of referees and match officials. Five match officials involved in a match are paid around RM2,500 including of the meals, transportation, accommodation and services on the field.

“I will not reveal the names of states and clubs as it is not my intention to shame them. However, this must be put to an end.

“I’m really shocked. I didn’t expect such a thing and I was also told that some referees have not been paid even for the last two seasons!" exclaimed Raja Ahmad.

Raja Ahmad added the committee will come up with several methods to tackle the issue including a suggestion that the secretariat within FAM deal directly with the referees. At present, match officials forward their claims upon refereeing a match to the host state or club.

Also discussed in the meetings were ways of luring more referees below the age of 30 and the possibility of hiring a foreign referee to conduct next season’s FA Cup and Malaysia Cup finals.