Latest news with #FaliqFirdaus
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Clubs hope more locals will claim starting spots after reduction in imports
PETALING JAYA: Super League clubs consider the Malaysian Football League's (MFL) decision to reduce the number of foreign players on the field as a golden opportunity for local players to claim starting spots. In the recent Board of Directors (BoD) meeting, MFL decided to amend the 2025-2026 Malaysia League manual, reducing the number of foreign players allowed on the field to six - down from the previously announced seven. According to the latest amendments, the new foreign player quota of six will consist of four open slots together with one Asian and one South-East Asian, and three foreigners on the bench.. For Negri Sembilan chief executive officer Faliq Firdaus, the decision is a strategic move to strike a balance between maintaining the league's competitiveness and creating greater space for the development of local talent. However, he stressed that local players given this chance should not merely be space-fillers. They must prove their quality on the pitch to make the most of the opportunity that comes with this reduction in foreign player slots. 'With six foreign players allowed on the field, the main challenge is ensuring local players don't just become quota fillers. They need to compete on merit and be placed in a technical environment that is educational and challenging,' he said. 'Without serious investment in local player development, reducing one foreign slot won't have a significant impact. 'At Negri, we're committed to giving opportunities to local players who demonstrate a competitive mentality. We don't want them in the starting eleven just because there's space. We want them there because they've earned it.'' Terengganu interim chief executive officer Shahrizan Mohd Zain echoed the same sentiment, saying the revised rule aligns with the club's plans to promote local players, especially the younger ones. 'Naturally, with fewer foreign players, there's a bonus for local players to grab the opportunity to be in the starting eleven. Our planning has been smooth so far to ensure a good balance between imports and locals moving forward,' he said. 'So far, we've announced four new imports – Junior Ngong Sam (Cameroon), Yan Mabella (France), Gabriel Costa (Brazil), and Raianderson da Costa (Brazil), and we've retained Nurillo Tukhtasinov (Uzbekistan). One more will be added soon, bringing our total to six imports.'
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Super League clubs support move to boost local player game time
KUALA LUMPUR: Super League clubs have backed the Malaysian Football League's (MFL) move to reduce the number of foreign players allowed in the starting XI from seven to six for the 2025-2026 season — a decision aimed at giving local players more game time. Despite the change, clubs can still register nine foreign players per match, with three allowed on the bench. The new composition includes four open quota players, one Asian, and one Asean, while three additional imports can now sit on the bench, compared to just two Asean previously. Negri Sembilan CEO Faliq Firdaus welcomed the move but warned that clubs must ensure local players earn their places. "They need to compete on merit and be in a technical environment that educates and challenges them," he said. "If it's not supported by serious investment in local player development, reducing the foreign slot will have little impact. "At Negri, we trust in local players with a competitive mentality. We don't want them in the starting XI just because there's space, but because they deserve it. Real balance begins when locals can replace imports, not just fill spots. "That said, we welcome this amendment. It gives locals more chances for match minutes and top-level exposure. "MFL is also clearly aware of regional developments, where many leagues are adjusting their foreign quotas. This shows the decision was made to keep the Super League competitive in Asia." Terengganu team manager Shahrizan Zain echoed the sentiment, saying the new rule fits with the club's plans to promote domestic and youth talent. "When the number of imports is reduced, it's a bonus for local players to grab a place in the first XI," he said. "Our planning has gone smoothly to ensure a proper balance between local and foreign players going forward." Terengganu have signed six imports so far — Junior Ngong Sam (Cameroon), Yan Mabella (France), Gabriel Costa and Careca (both Brazil), and Nurillo Tukhtasinov (Uzbekistan), with one more expected to be confirmed soon. In a statement on Wednesday, the MFL said the move was aimed at creating a better balance between local and foreign talent in matchday line-ups. While acknowledging the value of imports in boosting the league's competitiveness and appeal, the MFL stressed that developing local players remains a key priority in support of the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) goal to strengthen the national team. The foreign player registration cap remains at 15 per team, although clubs are not required to fill the full quota. The MFL also reminded teams to comply with the Financial Fair Play (FFP) framework, which includes a salary cap limiting spending on player wages to 80 per cent of total expenditure.
