M-League: Kafa says 'we're out' but ...

Fans of the Kelantan Football Association (Kafa) will not see their favourite players in action at the Malaysia Super League 2017.

Kafa acting president, Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah said the unanimous decision was made by the coalition members at the extraordinary congress here today.

Kafa had previously stated that it was considering withdrawing from the tournament due to financial constraints.

Afandi said the association was given until January 6 to secure sponsorship to enable The Red Warriors to play in the M-League.

“The congress agreed in principle to Kafa’s desire to withdraw from the M-League if it cannot secure the funds, but wanted its executive members to seek for sponsorship right up to Jan 6,” Afandi told reporters after the congress.

“We need at least RM3 million for a start, if we managed to secure that amount along with guarantee from other interested sponsors, then we will continue to play," he added.

Kafa had reportedly wanted to withdraw from the M-League as it had secured a modest RM800,000 from minor sponsors when it would need about RM15 million to remain competitive and play in the tournament.

READ: Question mark on 2017 future of The Red Giants, The Red Warriors

Several interested parties had expressed the interests to fund the team but none had come forward to discuss the matter further with Kafa.

Afandi also said that the congress decided to nominate ex-Kafa president Tan Sri Annuar Musa to contest the post of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president in 2017.