Pekan blasts MFL on new foreign quota for M-League teams
KUALA LUMPUR: Sports critic Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli has slammed the Malaysian Football League (MFL) over its recent decision to increase the foreign quota for M-League teams from 12 to 15 players next season.
He warned that this could harm local football and the national team in the long term.
"I am saddened as a fan, former footballer and critic when a statement like this came out saying tha we increase the quota until 15, that those who cannot afford it, don't do so. Is that what we want in football?"
"We sell BMW and Mercedes, and people come to see. But if you can't afford them, get out of the showroom and look at Proton and Perodua.
"Is that what they meant? That is your problem if you cannot afford it. That is not healthy nor a good concept for our football."
Pekan asked whether there was "genuine consensus" among the stakeholders, saying that that in any proper organisation, board decisions represent collective agreement, not a top-down mandate.
"Was this agreed upon by all? Because if it's consensus, then yes, everyone follows.
"But is it fair play when some teams use seven to eight imports, not counting heritage or naturalised players, while others have only three or four?
"Is this 11 versus 11 on a level field? The setting is not fair. We cannot just make drastic decisions like this and expect everyone to comply."
Pekan urged MFL to rethink its approach by tailoring the increased foreign quota only for clubs that are also participating in Asian competitions. That these additional foreign players be limited strictly to those tournaments and not used in M-League matches.
He warned that the increased foreigners presence would squeeze local players out of matchday squads, severely limiting their exposure and growth.
"If you have seven imports and two more on the bench, and all teams fill the quota, how many local players are left to play? Only four?"
Pekan warned that relying on heritage players as a shortcut could cripple the national football in the long run.
"If we don't develop our local talents, how will we ever produce players like the Japanese or Koreans who play in the World Cup? This is also about building our national identity, our jati diri bangsa. We cannot lose that," he said.
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