Analyst: FIFA transfer ban paints very poor picture of Malaysian football
PETALING JAYA: The transfer ban imposed by world football governing body FIFA should not be taken lightly, as it reflects the deep-rooted financial crisis plaguing many teams in the Malaysian League.
Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said the situation is alarming, especially with nine teams now slapped with the ban, a development that further tarnishes the already troubled image of Malaysian football.
He noted that the issue has reached a critical point, especially with the inclusion of a semi-professional team among those facing salary arrears.
'This paints a very poor picture of Malaysian football, especially with the number of teams involved.
'When FIFA impose such sanctions, it means we are now on the radar of the global body following complaints lodged by players.
'If the matter continues without any serious action being taken, it won't just damage the reputation of our domestic league, it will affect Malaysia's image as a footballing nation,' said Pekan.
He added that the bans could also deter foreign players from joining Malaysian teams in future seasons.
'Agents representing foreign players will definitely take note of the current situation in Malaysia.
'When issues such as unpaid salaries and debts become common, it reflects badly on the league. We're talking about a professional set-up, after all.'
A total of nine teams are currently under FIFA's transfer ban, including Kelantan Darul Naim, Kelantan FC, Kelantan FA, PT Athletic FC, Sarawak United, Perlis, Melaka United FC and Melaka United.
Terengganu, who were also listed, have since confirmed that they have settled all outstanding payments by the end of April.
This season's Super League has also seen several prominent teams facing salary payment issues, including Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, and Pahang.
The situation worsened when Perak, a team with a long-standing history in Malaysian football, announced that they would not compete in the upcoming season.
The issue has also caught the attention of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who stressed that only those with the financial strength and proper management capabilities should be entrusted with running football clubs to ensure the continuity of the domestic league and safeguard players' welfare.
She said the failure of some clubs to handle basic matters like salary payments and player welfare could seriously undermine efforts to attract sponsors to support the growth of football.
'If football is already struggling to secure sponsors, imagine how hard it is for other sports. Football has a massive following, so when it comes to convincing sponsors, they're mainly looking at how clubs are run, whether salaries are paid on time and players' welfare is taken care of.
'If you're not capable, don't get involved. Let others take over. The problem is, sometimes people don't have the means but still want to hold on to power, and that prevents others from stepping in,' said Hannah.
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