Gentlemen's agreement by JDT should not be questioned - Edwards

The gentlemen's agreement initiated by the Super League reigning champion, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) by not allowing their ex-player to play against them should not be raised by certain quarters.

JDT Sports Director Alistair Edwards in the latest entry posted in JDT Facebook page, The Southern Johor Darul Ta'zim FC claimed that such agreement had long been practised by certain clubs in Europe.

"The decisions and agreements were made to give win-win situations to both sides. So, to those unintelligent individuals, don't try to bring up such a small matter," he said.

Citing Mohd Amri Yahyah as an example, Edwards said the veteran playmaker was not allowed to play against JDT since his current club, Melaka United was unable to pay his full salary.

Therefore, Edwards said both teams agreed to pay half salary each to the 36-year-old player.

He also asserted that the same situation was also faced by two former JDT players -- Mohd Nazrin Nawi and Jasazrin Jamaluddin -- as the duo were also barred from playing against JDT since their current employer, Perak FA could not afford to pay the duo's combined transfer fees of RM1.2 million.

"When Perak was unable to afford the amount and requested it to be lowered to RM400,000, JDT agreed to it as long as the players would not play against JDT," Edwards said.

"It was the same with (national striker) Mohd Safee Sali when PKNS couldn't afford to pay the full transfer fee to JDT, so Safee Sali cannot play against JDT due to the gentlemen's agreement, in which JDT agreed to let PKNS pay half of the amount," Edwards added. -- Bernama