Latest news with #A1SemiProLeague
The Star
03-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Hafiz steps down as president to keep Warriors in A1 Semi Pro League
A new beginning: Former Kelantan Red Warriors president Nik Hafiz Naim Nik (right) shaking hands with newly-appointed CEO Wan Mohd Fajarul Ekram. — KRW PETALING JAYA: Kelantan Red Warriors president Nik Hafiz Naim Nik has taken the drastic step of stepping down to ensure the team's continued participation in the A1 Semi Pro League, which kicked off last Saturday. Hafiz admitted that it was a difficult decision, but one he felt was necessary to avoid risking the collapse of the team after all the efforts that had been poured into building it. He has also relinquished all positions and shareholdings in KRW in a bid to distance the team from any claims linking it to the troubled Kelantan FC. As a result, ownership of the Red Warriors has now been transferred to coffeehouse franchise Nasken Coffee, with Wan Mohd Fajarul Ekram appointed as the club's new chief executive officer. 'When this issue surfaced, it sparked a lot of speculation in the media, particularly linking me to Kelantan FC as a former shareholder. ''Unfortunately, it also affected Red Warriors and led to a suspension by FIFA. 'So I've decided to step aside to help ease the situation and pave the way for the team to return to action in the A1 League,' said Hafiz. The club are currently under investigation by FIFA over allegations that the team are essentially a rebranded version of Kelantan FC, who still have unsettled salary arrears involving several former players and officials. Due to the ongoing investigation, Irfan Bakti's side are not only barred from playing in any matches but have also been unable to register players, with the FIFA-imposed suspension set to remain in place until a decision is announced on Aug 14. Hafiz previously clarified that although he held shares in the club, his stake was limited to just five per cent. The majority was owned by Kelantan FC's main shareholder, entrepreneur Norizam Tukiman, known for his burger business, Zamburger. With his resignation, Hafiz is hoping for a favourable decision from FIFA, which would allow Red Warriors to return to action after their opening two matches against Selangor II today and Seoul Phoenix on Aug 10 had been postponed. 'Kelantan have a strong team in the A1 League and I believe they can go all the way to win the title this year. I will continue to support the club that I hold dear,' he added.
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Were Kelantan Red Warrior sloppy?
KUALA LUMPUR: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) said Kelantan Red Warrior (KRW) should have done their homework to avoid "being booked" by FIFA. The status of the A1 Semi Pro League side is now in question due to their link with Kelantan FC. KRW have insisted they are a new and separate club, not an offshoot of Kelantan FC. However, FIFA is holding KRW accountable for Kelantan FC's non-payment of salaries to players, KRW replied to FIFA last Saturday, in response to a show-cause letter from the world body. Under FIFA's "sporting succession rule", sanctions can be imposed on new clubs deemed to have inherited the obligations of their predecessors. FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman said KRW should have done a thorough check, and this includes avoiding the use of names, logos, or identity elements that could cause confusion. "They should have researched before signing players and everything. But when it reaches this point... we are forced to intervene. "I was informed that their CEO had told the team to avoid using the (previous team's) logo. But I'm not sure. That's between the AFL (Amateur Football League) and the team," said Noor Azman at a press conference today after a sponsorship renewal ceremony between FAM and Kronos.
Barnama
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
FA Cup: Meeting JDT Is An Honour
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaya Damansara United (UMD United) coach Ridzuan Abu Shah described the match against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the best 16 of the FA Cup as an honour for his team. According to Ridzuan, the match will be used as a platform for his men, especially for new players, to gain useful experience playing alongside top players as a preparation for the A1 Semi Pro League competition. "The term fear does not exist in managing a football team. What we have is what we use.
Barnama
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
Perak Football Complex To Be Perak FA Official Home Turf
IPOH, July 26 (Bernama) -- The Perak Football Complex will be the official venue for Perak FA to compete in this season's A1 Semi Pro League, which is scheduled to begin on Aug 3. Perak Football Association (PAFA) president Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin said they had asked the Malaysian Stadium Corporation (PSM) to conduct a full inspection of the pitch and facilities at the complex, which opened in 2019. 'In principle, I think the use of the complex as the team's official ground is not a problem, but several conditions need to be met before official approval is given. bootstrap slideshow 'Improvements to this complex may also be one of the conditions, and I think it is a good thing because apart from football, it can be the venue for various other activities,' he said when met at the Perak Football Complex here on Friday. Mohd Azhar said the effort to make the complex an official home turf for Perak FA was also due to the fact that the existing location, the Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) Stadium, is quite far away, and the team's training centre is located in Ipoh. 'For the first match against UM Damansara United on Aug 4, we will play at the MPM Stadium. However, for us to continue at the stadium may affect the players' performance, and the team's financial costs may also increase due to logistical factors,' he said. On the team's latest development, Mohd Azhar said a total of 25 players have been listed in the team, involving a combination of young players and those who have played in the Super League. 'According to the league's regulations, we can list between 25 and 30 players. So, we still have five more vacancies, but we don't want to rush to fill the quota,' he remarked. He said the management is also actively evaluating several imported players through a series of friendly matches to fill three vacancies, especially in the attack, midfield and defence positions.
The Sun
26-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Perak FA to use Perak Football Complex as home ground
THE Perak Football Complex will be the official venue for Perak FA to compete in this season's A1 Semi Pro League, which is scheduled to begin on Aug 3. Perak Football Association (PAFA) president Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin said they had asked the Malaysian Stadium Corporation (PSM) to conduct a full inspection of the pitch and facilities at the complex, which opened in 2019. 'In principle, I think the use of the complex as the team's official ground is not a problem, but several conditions need to be met before official approval is given. 'Improvements to this complex may also be one of the conditions, and I think it is a good thing because apart from football, it can be the venue for various other activities,' he said when met at the Perak Football Complex here on Friday. Mohd Azhar said the effort to make the complex an official home turf for Perak FA was also due to the fact that the existing location, the Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) Stadium, is quite far away, and the team's training centre is located in Ipoh - BERNAMA 'For the first match against UM Damansara United on Aug 4, we will play at the MPM Stadium. However, for us to continue at the stadium may affect the players' performance, and the team's financial costs may also increase due to logistical factors,' he said. On the team's latest development, Mohd Azhar said a total of 25 players have been listed in the team, involving a combination of young players and those who have played in the Super League. 'According to the league's regulations, we can list between 25 and 30 players. So, we still have five more vacancies, but we don't want to rush to fill the quota,' he remarked. He said the management is also actively evaluating several imported players through a series of friendly matches to fill three vacancies, especially in the attack, midfield and defence positions. 'We have conducted some trials in two series of friendly matches before. What I can say is that we are still open to finding truly quality imported players, specifically in those three positions,' he added - BERNAMA
