Malaysia’s Super League Needs to Act Like a Professional Competition

The opening weeks of Malaysia’s 2026/27 Super League have left the Malaysian Football League facing an uncomfortable question: can it manage the country’s top professional competition properly?

The concerns grew after Kuala Lumpur City failed to play its opening match because it did not have enough players, a shortage linked to an influenza outbreak. The club then drew further attention when it fielded only 10 players in a 6-0 defeat to Kuching City.

The situation has also affected Kelantan Red Warrior FC, which remains under a FIFA transfer ban. Unable to assemble a competitive squad, KRW FC has conceded 18 goals in three matches and become the league’s easiest target.

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This is the first time in our professional league that a new season has begun with a team lacking enough players to register and play.

Football observer Datuk Dr. Pekan Ramli said the problems should never have reached the start of the season. He agreed with some fans who have described the competition as a “circus league.”

“This is the first time in our professional league that a new season has begun with a team lacking enough players to register and play,” he told Utusan Malaysia. Pekan said responsibility should not rest entirely with the clubs because the MFL handles licensing, player registration and checks on team readiness before the season begins.

“This is the Super League, not an ordinary league. A situation like this is embarrassing and damages the image of the league, not just KL City’s image. If the team was genuinely facing problems, why was it allowed to play?” he said.

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This is the Super League, not an ordinary league. A situation like this is embarrassing and damages the image of the league, not just KL City’s image. If the team was genuinely facing problems, why was it allowed to play?