Latest news with #MalaysianFootballLeague
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
MFL's foreign player tweak benefits the rich in the Super League
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League's (MFL) recent adjustment to its foreign player quota has sparked discussion among football observers, with some suggesting that the timing and structure of the change may benefit certain teams more than others. Football critic Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said the decision to reduce the number of foreign players allowed in the starting XI from seven to six, while maintaining the registration cap at 15, deserves closer scrutiny. "This isn't just about numbers, it's also about planning," said Pekan. "Removing the second Asean player from the on-field quota appears neutral, but it may shift the balance in subtle ways that favour certain teams." Under the revised rule, teams may still register 15 foreign players, but only six can be fielded at once — comprising four open-quota imports, one from Asia and one from Asean. The main change is the reduction of Asean players on the pitch from two to one. While the revision appears modest on paper, Pekan believes it may unintentionally favour clubs with deeper resources and a stronger foreign player base. "Some teams already have heritage or naturalised players who play key roles. In such situations, there may be little incentive to field Asean imports who are of similar quality to local players," he explained. He also noted that some fans have questioned the timing of the rule change, which comes just over three weeks before the M-League kicks off on Aug 8. "Although MFL has provided its reasons, changes this close to the season can affect club planning. Not all teams have the flexibility to adapt quickly in terms of squad depth or tactics," he said. "This could impact player confidence, team chemistry, and overall preparedness." Pekan further pointed out that the aim of creating more space for local-born players might not materialise, since naturalised players are already classified as locals under the rules. "Removing one Asean slot doesn't necessarily mean more Malaysian-born players will get minutes. In many cases, those positions could go to naturalised players, who are still imports in nature — just not on paper." He also observed that Asean players, while comparable in quality to Malaysian players, play an important role in balancing squads for clubs with limited resources. "For smaller teams, the removal of that extra Asean slot could represent a lost opportunity to maintain squad balance. Stronger clubs may now bring in higher-quality imports instead." On a positive note, Pekan welcomed MFL's decision to release a full season's calendar ahead of time — a move aimed at improving planning and transparency. However, he also urged the league to be mindful of how timing and communication around regulatory changes affect clubs and stakeholders.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
MFL reduces foreign players with latest ruling
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) announced today a revised ruling that will reduce the number of foreign players on the pitch for the 2025-2026 M-League. Not many, just by one. Now, instead of seven, a Super League team can field half a dozen foreign players — one from Asia + one from Asean + four from the rest of the world. MFL said the latest quota will bring a better balance between local and foreign players in the teams' starting lineup. "The presence of foreign players undoubtedly enhances the league's appeal, but the MFL's core agenda remains the development of local talent to support the FA of Malaysia and strengthen the national team," MFL said. The 2025-2026 season kicks off on Aug 8 with the Charity Cup between Johor Darul Ta'zim and Selangor at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium — a fixture that doubles as the opening match of the Super League.
The Star
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Brunei to sponsor travel for Super League teams in upcoming season
PETALING JAYA: Super League teams need not worry about their travels to Brunei, as the club will sponsor their trips to the country for the upcoming season starting next month. Malaysian Football League (MFL) acting chief executive officer Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd said the sponsorship agreement was a key factor in their agreement with the club to participate in the Super League. 'The sponsorship was one of the main matters in our agreement with Brunei. 'Brueni requested it for the coming season so that it will be done, and Brunei will do it,' said Shazli after the Official Ball Launch ceremony for the 2025-2026 Super League Season. Shazli added that even though Brunei would be competing in the league, they would not be eligible to compete in any Asian or Asean level tournaments, such as the Asian Championships League Elite, Asian Championships League 2 and AFF Club Championship. 'If Brunei is in a position to qualify for a slot, they will not be representing the position as our national representatives,' he said. Meanwhile, Shazli also said that 12 out of the 13 teams have locked in their home venues, with the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan being an alternative venue for any last-minute changes. Immigrants have until Monday (July 7) to confirm their home field.
New Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'If you don't have the experience, don't pretend to know'
KUALA LUMPUR: While pretty much of the world have finalised their domestic league fixtures months in advance, Malaysia is, once again, struggling to come out with its M-League calendar. And the organiser, Malaysian Football League (MFL), has been slameed for lack of professionalism and poor planning. Football critic Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said the "uncertainty" reflects poor governance by the powers-that-be. "We already know how many teams are competing. We should be able to release the fixtures. Once they are out early, people can plan properly," he said. "Last year, there were too many last-minute changes. Some teams had already made travel arrangements, then the schedule changed. That's not professional. "You ask clubs to be professional, but you can't even plan fixtures properly. What kind of example is that? "If you don't have the experience, don't pretend to know. Go study how the Premier League or J-League do it. "It's a professional league. Don't run it like amateurs," said Pekan. Meanwhile, MFL chief executive officer Shazli Shaik said they are in the final stages of preparation and awaiting further details from the Asean Football Federation (Johor Darul Ta'zim and Selangor will compete in the Asean Club Championship). The Super League is expected to kick off on Aug 8.
