* Players’ Status Committee declares Satianathan’s “take a rest” order null and void
* Armed Forces did not follow the rules
B. SATIANATHAN is still the head coach of Super League outfit Armed Forces, so said the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) who ruled on Monday to declare his now famous “take a rest” order as being null and void.
The FAM Players’ Status Committee chaired by Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan made the decision after the former national coach filed an affidavit with the FAM as a follow up to the letter of complaint he had filed with the PSC over his fate after being told to “take a rest” by the Armed Forces FA as their chief coach.
Takiyuddin said the PSC verdict was in Satianathan’s favour because Armed Forces’ FA deputy president Major General Datuk Mazlan Kasap was wrong to tell Satianathan to “take a rest” with immediate effect on April 14.
Mazlan gave the shocking news in front of the players and other coaching staff and team officials during the team’s training session.
“Datuk Mazlan did not follow what was in the contract drawn up between both parties. As such the ‘take a rest’ order is null void and Satianathan is still the head coach of Armed Forces. Armed Forces will have to reinstate Satianathan to his post as stated in the contract,” said Takiyuddin.
After his removal as chief coach, Satianathan was told his “new” job was to keep an eye on the team’s training and report to the management on the matter – something which shocked Satianathan as it was not his job.
Satianathan hit back and said he was “hired as chief coach to train the players and pick the team” – which is clearly stipulated in his contract.
There was also a delay in paying Satianathan his salary after he was told to take a rest. Satianathan was paid his June salary just before Hari Raya which fell on July 17.
Satianathan was present but Armed Forces had no representative at the hearing on Monday. Takiyuddin, however, said Armed Forces can file an appeal within 14 days if they are not happy with the verdict handed out on the case.
“I want to move on with my life,” said Satianathan with the verdict in his favour.
The “take a rest” order came two days after Armed Forces fell to a 1-3 defeat to Selangor in a Super League match at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi, Seremban.
It is learnt that Satianathan, who is also the president of the Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (FCAM), has received several offers from other teams and could be coaching a new team for the Malaysia Cup competition if he can resolve his case with Armed Forces.
