Malaysian League Clubs Urged to Prioritize Player and Coach Welfare

Malaysian League (Liga M) football clubs face a critical need to address player and coach welfare to ensure the long-term appeal and competitiveness of the domestic league. Local football observers highlight this as a primary area requiring serious attention.

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I see number one is the welfare of players and coaches. This matter needs attention, and I believe only JDT and Selangor do not have this problem.

Associate Professor Dr. Zulakbal Ab Karim pointed out that player and coaching welfare remains the most glaring weakness in Malaysian football. He believes that only Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Selangor FC are currently free from these persistent issues, with many teams in the Super League and A1 Semi-Pro League still struggling with problems like salary arrears.

"The seriousness of teams in looking after the welfare of players and coaches is still lacking," Zulakbal stated, emphasizing the need for greater commitment from clubs.

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The seriousness of teams in looking after the welfare of players and coaches is still lacking.

Beyond player welfare, Zulakbal also stressed the importance of upgrading team facilities to meet world-class standards. He noted that currently, only one or two facilities have received FIFA recognition, while others remain outdated and require comprehensive improvements to align with advanced leagues in the region.

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Team facilities in the Malaysian League must be world-class, and currently, I see only one or two have received recognition from FIFA.

Furthermore, Zulakbal expressed concern over the current import player policy, which he deems unbalanced. The policy allows teams to register nine foreign players, with six starting and three on the bench. He argued that this number is excessive and hinders local players from securing consistent playing time and opportunities within their own league, making it difficult for them to compete effectively.

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The import player policy that allows each team to register nine import players with six players in the starting eleven and three more on the bench needs to be changed.