Former Pahang manager Mohammed Suffian Awang confirmed that the letter of claim amounting to US$1.2 million (about RM4.9 million) was received by the PFA on Tuesday, and said that the association would hand over the matter to its lawyers for further action.

Suffian, who is currently the chief executive of Sri Pahang FC – the rebranded version of the club – said advice would also be sought from international legal experts over the matter.

“Yes, we received the decision (from Fifa), but we want justification on how the amount (directed to be paid) was achieved.

“This matter will be left to the lawyers to evaluate all remedies or appropriate measures within 10 days (of receiving the decision) for us to appeal to Fifa, so we do not rule out the possibility of hiring international lawyers to assist in this case,” he said today.

Fifa ordered the PFA to pay about RM4.9 million to Sumareh – the country’s first naturalised player – following an issue over salary arrears last season.

Sumareh had previously terminated his contract signed with Pahang until 2022, and filed an official complaint to Fifa after claiming that there was incompetence with regard to the payment of salaries while he was with the Tok Gajah squad last season.

However, Suffian said Fifa had never called the PFA to record its statement over the matter. He said the judgement was an ex-parte one.