Latest news with #PekanRamli
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
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.
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
Verify backgrounds, instill national identity in heritage players
SHAH ALAM - The Harimau Malaya squad's growing enthusiasm for including heritage players in the national team is a trend seen in modern football worldwide. However, sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said such efforts should extend beyond technical qualifications. He stressed the importance of thoroughly verifying the players' backgrounds and their genuine connection to Malaysia. According to him, this review should examine players' lineage, generational roots and whether they maintain family ties in the country. 'This is crucial to avoid negative public perceptions, especially on social media. Heritage connections should not be viewed as an easy shortcut to join the Harimau Malaya squad. 'If a player truly has legitimate blood ties to relatives in Malaysia, efforts should be made to reconnect them. This would give the player a chance to learn more about their origins and strengthen bonds with family members still living here,' he told Sinar. The Harimau Malaya team is strengthened by heritage players such as Dion Cools as they compete in the Third Round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Malaysia is in Group F alongside Vietnam, Nepal and Laos, with only the group winner securing a place in the tournament set to take place in Saudi Arabia. Pekan, who is also a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), explained that this approach is common practice among many countries, including Malaysia's neighbours like Indonesia and the Philippines. 'This practice is allowed under the rules of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and is often seen in countries with colonial histories, where descendants abroad may have bloodline connections. 'Malaysia's colonial past under the Portuguese, Dutch, British, Japanese, and Siamese increases the likelihood of mixed heritage through intermarriage and migration. 'Indonesia was colonised by the Dutch for 350 years and the Philippines by Spain for over 330 years. "Malaysia is no different. The Portuguese ruled Melaka for 130 years, and although other colonial powers stayed for shorter periods, their impact remains significant,' he said. Pekan also pointed out that heritage players should be evaluated on more than just their skills. 'They must also understand and embrace the national identity and show genuine love for the country. 'I suggest holding interviews or official orientation sessions to assess their patriotism and knowledge of local culture, including the national anthem. 'Neighbouring countries use similar methods to instill national values among heritage players. This ensures that their connection to Malaysia is sincere, rather than just a way to gain international appearances,' he said. He also reminded that local talent development must keep pace with Malaysia's football ambitions, citing South Korea and Japan as examples of countries that have built teams rooted in their own identity while benefiting from external knowledge. 'Sharing knowledge and technology is encouraged but should be balanced and controlled. We must not overlook our homegrown talents in the process. 'Malaysia has already shown the strength of its people on the international stage, from Mount Everest expeditions to swimming the English Channel and journeys to the North Pole. "These accomplishments reflect the resilience of our national identity and the 'Malaysia Boleh' spirit. "Strengthening national identity through sports is no longer optional—it is essential,' he said.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Pekan calls for MFL to show some steel for Super League's sake
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) must be prepared to make tough and unpopular decisions to ensure that the 2025–2026 Super League gets the support of fans. Amid the National Licence documentation April 30 deadline, several clubs are still grappling with financial issues. This means the number of Super League teams could be reduced. Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said the Super League needs to be free of problematic clubs, and the MFL must act decisively to make the league more competitive in order to attract fans. "The club licensing deadline is at the end of the month and I hope only the clubs that 'qualify', will play next season. Based on the financial issues commonly associated with M-League clubs, I foresee a reduction in the number of Super League teams," said Pekan. "The M-League needs clean clubs. The MFL cannot let teams encounter financial trouble mid-season, leaving players and coaches unpaid and compromising the league's competitiveness." Pekan said the MFL needs to conduct audits or projections based on licensing documentation to assess each club's financial standing and provide guidance for corrective action. Pekan also said that implementing a salary cap is another step the MFL should consider to prevent clubs from running into debt, especially in line with Financial Fair Play regulations. He stressed that MFL must also be perceived as fair to all clubs, particularly when it comes to scheduling. "I believe a salary cap would reduce issues of unreasonable spending by clubs. Players' wages must be realistic. While some parties may be unhappy with this, the MFL must be brave to take unpopular decisions for the survival of Malaysian football," said Pekan. "These tough decisions could save Malaysian football. The M-League has become too predictable, with a few teams dominating for years while others fall too far behind." He also called for a change in perception regarding fixture bias, saying fans' complaints are often linked to unfair scheduling. "There's a perception that the MFL is biased towards certain clubs. Some teams playing in continental or regional competitions naturally face fixture congestion, but scheduling must still be fair. "We've seen clubs overloaded with fixtures while others have very relaxed schedules. While some congestion is inevitable in modern football, it should be kept to a minimum."
