Privatisation is the way to go to improve professionalism in football
PETALING JAYA: Embrace privatisation rather than lamenting about it.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul (pic) said privatisation of the Malaysian League was not a failure.
Instead, he urged Malaysian clubs, particularly their management personnel, to take greater responsibility in handling their teams.
He emphasised that the recent financial issues faced by clubs in the Super League and A1 Semi-Pro League were not the result of privatisation, but stemmed from the complacent attitudes of some clubs that failed to manage their affairs proactively.
Windsor also stressed the importance of professionalism across all Malaysian League clubs, affirming that the move from State Football Associations (FAs) to Football Clubs (FCs) was the right step forward in the modern football era.
'I do not see the privatisation of this league as a failure. Instead, it is a necessary process for progress,' said Windsor.
'This is the time for clubs to learn to meet the criteria and regulations set by the AFC. How long do we want to remain stagnant?' he questioned.
'Clubs need to be more proactive and understand the intricacies of professional club management.
'Don't blame privatisation, the real responsibility lies with the club management, which must be smarter and more effective in overseeing all aspects of the club.
'The AFC's rules and regulations are in line with those of other leagues. If some Malaysian League clubs can meet these standards, there's no reason others cannot.'
Recently, Perak announced that they would pull out from the Super League due to financial constraints while Pahang are expected to join them as well.
Both clubs could be bought over by new owners before the club licensing deadline tomorrow.
Clubs like Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, etc are also struggling with salary arrears, which has stained the image of the league in terms of financial management.
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