Terengganu wants approval to use foreign players against Sarawak

Terengganu are hoping for a late approval from the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for their foreign signings Francis Doe Forkey and Erison Da Silva Santos Carnietto to play against Sarawak in Kuching today.

Their documents are almost in order and all they need now is the test results for Hepatitis A and C which are now required by the FAM vetting committee, said Terengganu FA secretary Abdullah Salleh.

"The test results should be in by late today (yesterday) and once we get the all clear from FAM, both players will be on the first plane out to Kuching to join their teammates.

"The delay is because earlier on we did not know that the players needed to be screened for Hepatitis too as they were only screened for HIV during their medicals before we signed them up almost two weeks ago," said Abdullah.

Abdullah said Liberian striker Forkey and Brazillian midfielder Carnietto are eager to play as they have already missed two matches due to the confusion surrounding their eligibility to play in the league.

Both signed their contracts on Jan 4 when Terengganu thought they were allowed an extension to Jan 9 to secure the services of foreign players through an FAM circular dated Dec 23.

But the circular was deemed to be inaccurate by FAM as the deadline given was for the AFC Cup and the foreign signings were ruled ineligible to play in the Super League.

Terengganu threatened to sue FAM and pull out of the league if both players were not allowed to play and the governing body refused to pay compensation.

"We are glad that the issue has been resolved amicably when FAM decided to grant an extension up until the middle of next month to all competing teams to sign up foreign players," said Abdullah.

"All that is behind us, now thanks to our Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Ahmad Said) and FAM. We can concentrate on winning more matches now that Forkey and Carnietto are almost back in the squad."