Pix: New Strats TimesBUKIT MERTAJAM: International striker Safee Sali has called for the setting up of a professional football players association to look into their welfare and rights.

Safee (pic), who plays for Indonesian club Pelita Jaya, said this was necessary as Malaysian football was undergoing a transformation and players needed an active body to protect their interests.

“The recent controversy involving two Terengganu players highlights the need for such an association.

“I sympathize with them for having to put up with such a shameful situation,” he said at the ‘SYM Hari Raya Open House with Safee Sali’ in Alma yesterday.

Terengganu coach Peter Butler had claimed he had sacked the two players for allegedly breaking curfew and bringing girls back to their hotel.

The duo maintain they are innocent and have demanded an apology from Butler.

– Bernama