
Coach Kim Swee leaves Persis for Persik
Malaysia's former national coach confirmed his appointment in an Instagram post with a photo of himself and the Liga 1 club owner Arthur Irawan.
"A new chapter begins for me today as I join Persik Kediri," wrote Kim Swee.
"I am genuinely thankful to Arthur Irawan and the management for welcoming me into this remarkable club and for placing their trust in my abilities."
Kim Swee replaced Brazilian coach Marcelo Rospide who left Persik on May 27.
Timesport reported last week that Kim Swee was on the verge of leaving Persis Solo after the team's final match of the season, which saw them avoiding relegation after finishing 14th in the table.
"It's inspiring to become part of a team with such a rich tradition and loyal supporters," said Kim Swee.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Djokovic becomes a part-owner of Ligue 2 club Le Mans
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 11, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic looks on during his semi final match against Italy's Jannik Sinner REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/ File Photo (Reuters) -Tennis great Novak Djokovic has become a part-owner of French Ligue 2 club Le Mans FC with former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen also acquiring stakes, the newly promoted club announced on Friday. The investment is led by Brazilian group OutField, an international consortium co-founded by Pedro Olivera, and includes Georgios Frangulis, CEO of global health-food brand OakBerry. "Djokovic, the most successful player in history, whose mental strength and unique approach will bring considerable added value," the club said in a statement. "Massa (15 seasons in Formula 1) and Magnussen (10 seasons), who will help create a bridge between football and motorsport – a distinctive strength of the Le Mans brand." Le Mans begin their Ligue 2 campaign on August 9, away at Guingamp. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)


New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ghaddar slams Kelantan club over failed Syrian transfer
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Lebanese international Mohamad Ghaddar has accused Kelantan The Real Warriors (KTRW) of dishonesty over a failed transfer involving Syrian defender Moaiad Alkhouli. In a series of Instagram posts, Ghaddar claimed he paid for Alkhouli's travel to Malaysia — only for club president Tan Sri Anuar Musa and CEO Datuk Irwan Rizal Ali Napiah to go silent after the player passed his medical. "This is the worst club I have ever dealt with. Let FIFA decide," Ghaddar wrote, sharing what appeared to be a copy of the offer letter. Ghaddar, who had four stints with Kelantan and was once a fan favourite at Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Felda United, is not a FIFA-registered agent — a key detail confirmed by Malaysian Football League (MFL) acting CEO Shazli Shaik. That status complicates matters. Under FIFA regulations, unlicensed intermediaries face potential sanctions, including fines or bans, particularly under Article 6 of the body's rules on working with intermediaries. While players may file complaints directly to FIFA, agents without proper accreditation face more limited recourse. But the bigger issue now centres on KTRW's continued participation in the Super League, despite financial woes, legal troubles, and a FIFA-imposed transfer ban. "KTRW, previously known as Kelantan Darul Naim FC, were granted a national licence as they fulfilled last season's licensing cycle. But they've had arrears from January to March and are still under a FIFA transfer ban due to unresolved foreign player claims," said Shazli. The club are only allowed to register players from last season, including those from their President's Cup squad, and cannot sign new players until the ban is lifted. Still, Shazli insists the MFL is taking a firm stance. "We've asked KTRW to either clear their debts or provide proof of negotiations and agreed payment plans. There's a bi-monthly monitoring cycle. If they don't comply, the case is referred to the First Instance Body (FIB) for disciplinary action," he said. "We've removed Kedah, Perak, and Sri Pahang from the league in the past. So how can anyone claim we're not strict? KTRW are under tight observation. If there's no progress, we'll consider appropriate action, including proceeding with just 12 teams." He added that the next licensing document deadline is in October, with the latest submission having been in July. FIB meetings are scheduled before the new league campaign kicks off. Timesport has been tracking KTRW's ongoing issues, including unpaid salaries, questionable licensing approvals, and humiliating repayment offers to former players and coaches — such as RM200 monthly instalments and partial settlements. These cases, described by critics as exploitative, have raised serious concerns over the integrity of the MFL's licensing framework. While the MFL maintain that KTRW fulfilled the requirements for last season, observers argue that continued leniency for financially unstable clubs could damage the league's credibility. Kelantan's woes are also reflected on FIFA's official registration ban list, where Malaysia currently has 18 entries — the highest being Kelantan FC, with eight separate bans. They are followed by Perlis FA and Kedah Darul Aman FC (two each), while Perak, Kelantan FA, PT Athletic FC, Gombak FC, and Kelantan Darul Naim also feature. On Friday, Anuar appeared to respond to the furore on Facebook, urging stakeholders to avoid trial by social media. "The most important thing is discipline in management. Always follow the rules and respect the law. Not everything needs to be discussed online, especially issues involving regulations or personal matters," he wrote. "In professional football, there are governing bodies — the AFL (Amateur Football League), MFL, FAM (FA of Malaysia), and FIFA. Any uncertainty should be referred to the appropriate authorities. "Everyone involved — management, players, agents — must act wisely. Use discretion, especially when protecting someone's dignity." Anuar also reminded all parties that while clubs are privately owned, football ultimately belongs to the fans. "Find balance — for the greater good," he said.


The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Motor racing-Alonso to miss first Hungarian GP practice due to back injury
Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium - July 27, 2025 Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso before the race REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Aston Martin's Brazilian reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will replace Spaniard Fernando Alonso in first Friday practice at the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix due to the Spaniard suffering a back injury. The team said Alonso, who turned 44 last Tuesday, had been managing the muscular issue since the weekend's Belgian Grand Prix and had chosen to sit out the session while continuing treatment. "Felipe Drugovich will drive in FP1 alongside Lance Stroll," Aston Martin said. "A decision will then be made on Fernando's participation in FP2 and the remainder of the weekend in due course." Double world champion Alonso won the first race of his Formula One career at the Hungaroring with Renault in 2003. Drugovich, 25, was Formula Two champion in 2022 and has taken part in several F1 test sessions but has yet to start a race. Aston Martin are eighth in the 10-team championship, just one point ahead of Haas. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by...)