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New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Kelantan Red Warriors deny link to Kelantan FC amid FIFA probe
KUALA LUMPUR: Kelantan Red Warriors (KRW) president Nik Hafiz Naim Nik Hassan has insisted that his club are a separate entity and not a sporting successor to Kelantan FC, who are facing action from FIFA over unpaid wages. Nik Hafiz told Timesport that KRW submitted a full explanation to FIFA on Saturday — two days before Monday's deadline — in response to a show-cause letter from world football's governing body. "The complainant claimed that KRW and Kelantan FC are the same club under sporting succession — that is completely untrue," said Nik Hafiz. "Kelantan FC are 76 years old. We're not even a year old. We've never claimed their history, titles or records. We are a new club — full stop." FIFA's Legal Handbook sets out criteria to determine sporting succession, including similar headquarters, name, legal form, colours, players, ownership, and competition level. KRW do share the "Red Warriors" name and red-and-white colours with Kelantan FC, but Nik Hafiz insisted these are linked to Kelantan's state identity, not the previous club. "The name 'Red Warriors' belongs to the people of Kelantan. It's used in other sports like sepak takraw. The colours come from our state flag. It's about real warriors — not branding," he said. He admitted to being a former director at Kelantan FC but stressed he had cut ties before establishing KRW. "Yes, I was a director, but I resigned before forming KRW. There is no connection. Kelantan FC remain under Zamsaham (Norizam Tukiman). If they return to the league, they'll do so under that structure. We have a different licence." The issue echoes the Melaka United-Melaka FC case, where the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that the latter could not be held responsible as a sporting successor due to legal and operational separation. That ruling could prove pivotal if FIFA moves to determine KRW's status using the same criteria. Nik Hafiz said KRW are now waiting for FIFA's response and will consult the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and Amateur Football League (AFL) on the next steps. Despite the uncertainty, KRW are continuing preparations for Tuesday's friendly against Terengganu at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium. "We're fully ready. Coach Irfan Bakti has done an excellent job and we're targeting Super League promotion," said Nik Hafiz. "To our fans — please be patient. This is a challenge, but we'll get through it together."
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Confusion over Kelantan team's rebranding draws FIFA's attention
PETALING JAYA: The rebranding confusion involving several Kelantan football teams has attracted the attention of the world football governing body FIFA. It had issued a show-cause letter to Kelantan Red Warrior (KRW), who were set to compete in the Semi-Pro League A1. The letter requests clarification about KRW's identity and how it differs from earlier Kelantan-based teams, especially Kelantan FC, which was previously owned by entrepreneur Norizman Tukiman and still has unresolved debts. Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) general secretary Datuk Noor Azman Rahman confirmed on Sunday (July 27) that they had received a letter from FIFA and handed it over to KRW on Friday. "Yes, we received a letter from FIFA regarding Kelantan KRW and have forwarded it to them for further action. "I can't disclose further details, but the issue is not related to player claims. It is linked to a previous club, Kelantan FC. "FIFA have identified certain concerns, which may be connected to the former team," said Azman. The deadline for KRW to respond to FIFA's letter was on Monday (July 28). KRW was established in December last year by Nik Hafiz Naim Nik Hassan, who was previously a co-owner of Kelantan FC alongside Zamsaham. It was understood that the similarity in logo, team identity and even jersey design between KRW and the defunct Kelantan FC was among the reasons FIFA requested clarification. Kelantan FC were effectively dissolved last year after being relegated from the 2023 Super League. The team were also barred from competing in last season's A1 Semi-Pro League due to heavy debts. Former team president Tan Sri Annuar Musa later revived Kelantan's presence in the Super League by introducing a new identity under the name Kelantan The Real Warriors.
