KUALA TERENGGANU – Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said expects many of the players in the current Turtles’ squad to be axed next season given their dismal performances and recent controversies.
The Turtles are even embroiled in match-fixing allegations and are the subject of an ongoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) investigation.
This has prompted Ahmad to step in and be proactive in the recruitment of players for next season.
“I expect many of the current players to be dropped … players who are not disciplined will be given the boot,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
He explained the state government “demands results as it invests about RM3mil yearly in the squad”.
“I will highly recommend the direct recruitment of players, without the assistance of middlemen or agents,” he added.
“We must scout for players ourselves instead of relying on recommendations by agents.
“I have seen many things … including players deliberately wanting to be red-carded so that they can rest. The Terengganu FA should impose a penalty system so that such players are properly punished.”
As for the fate of club side T-Team, Ahmad said he would decide whether to retain or dissolve the club after the Malaysia Cup competition.
Meanwhile the MACC revealed they had used the polygraph machine in the course of their investigations into allegations of match-fixing involving the squad.
Terengganu MACC director Md Yusoff Md Zin said the machine was used as “we suspected one of those called up was lying”.
“We can confirm we only used it on one individual,” he said.
