[UPDATED] Crocs lose case of Syahrul Azwari

The Crocs have lost their case to retain Kelantan born striker Syahrul Azwari after Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) ruled that Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) had first dibs over the player after he had finished his stint with Harimau Muda.

According to a statement by FAM, the contract between Syahrul and the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) is therefore invalid, and that Syahrul must contact KAFA to negotiation his return to KAFA.

KAFA and Syahrul has also been given seven days to negotiate and agree on a contract, in which KAFA would need to evaluate if they can agree on Syahrul’s terms, including the consideration if there is a need, and room for Syahrul to return.

Aside from that, FAM had also given the green light to FAS to negotiate with KAFA shall they retain their interest to keep Syahrul at Stadium Negeri.

It remains unclear if KAFA would draft Syahrul into Pamoga Qu Puteh The Red Warriors (PQPTRW) at this point, but it is highly likely that FAS would try their best to retain the player at Stadium Negeri.

Syahrul’s transfer to Sarawak became a heated issue after KAFA’s president Annuar Musa claimed he was signed illegally by FAS.  This claim however has been denied by Sarawak’s General Secretary Abdullah Julaihi who also claimed that he was confident Sarawak would win the case.

Syahrul has since been training with the Crocs and is now in Vietnam with the team for their pre-season preparations.

The lost of Syahrul is expected to give Sarawak head coach K Rajagobal a huge blow.