ONCE revered as Southeast Asia’s footballing pride, the Malaysian League (M-League) now limps towards irrelevance.
What was once a vibrant, competitive ecosystem has become a hollow shell – plagued by financial instability, waning fan interest, and systemic neglect.
The writing is on the wall: without bold, immediate reform, Malaysian football risks a decline so deep that recovery could take decades.
The recent withdrawal of Perak FC – a club with over a century of history – is not just a warning sign; it’s a blaring alarm.
Despite RM40 million spent over three years, the club folded under financial pressure. It’s a stark reflection of the perilous state others now find themselves in – Kedah Darul Aman, Sri Pahang, and Kelantan Darul Naim could be next.
Behind closed doors, unpaid wages have become the norm. Some players, earning as little as RM800 in development squads, have gone months without salaries – with several resorting to social media to beg for their dues.
This is not what professional football looks like. This is survival.
‘The commercial dream that never was’
The Malaysian Football League (MFL) was launched with grand ambitions: to professionalise the domestic game and unlock commercial value. Nearly a decade on, the results are underwhelming. Most clubs remain state-funded, while commercial returns are negligible.
What is the league’s true market value today? RM100 million? RM500 million? Are major brands lining up to sponsor teams? Are clubs profiting from TV rights or gate receipts? The answer is clear: no. Some can’t even afford to rent their own stadiums.
When investors see no return, they walk away – and when they do, it’s not just management that suffers. Coaches, players, and support staff are left in limbo. The players, above all, are the biggest losers: young men giving their peak years to a league that cannot guarantee even a basic income.
‘Quantity over quality: A failed model’
The M-League’s expansionist push towards a 16- or 18-team format has collapsed under its own weight.
With only 13 clubs in the Super League today – and several on the brink – the model has prioritised size over sustainability. Financial survival, not footballing merit, is now the defining feature of the league.
Meanwhile, competitive balance is virtually non-existent. Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have dominated the domestic scene for over a decade. Their professionalism and resources are laudable – but their hegemony has drained the league of unpredictability. Outcomes are often foregone conclusions, and that predictability is driving fans away.
‘The empty seats say it all’
Take the recent Malaysia Cup final: 55,552 fans turned up to see JDT face Sri Pahang – a decent turnout, but still 30,000 short of Bukit Jalil’s full capacity. A decade ago, such finals were sell-out affairs. Today, fans are more selective.
With inflation biting hard, a family attending four matches a month could spend upwards of RM800 – nearly a quarter of their income. For many, football is now a luxury.
But the blame doesn’t lie with the fans. The system is possibly broken, and it’s failing them.
‘Broken pathways, forgotten youth’
To save costs, clubs are increasingly pulling out of youth competitions like the President’s Cup and Youth Cup. Though licensing rules require development from as young as Under-8 level, how many clubs are truly investing in their academies?
Many treat youth development as a box-ticking exercise, leaning on external systems like the Suparimau League or the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) to produce talent. This passive approach is sabotaging the next generation.
The Under-23 MFL Cup – recently discontinued and, oddly, never officially recognised under the AFC licensing system – is another example of structural confusion. By age 21, players should be pushing for senior football – not stuck in redundant youth tournaments.
‘Officiating woes and trust deficit’
Officiating in the M-League remains a recurring nightmare. Even with VAR, controversial decisions persist – some in high-stakes matches – and fan confidence is crumbling.
Allegations of bias, unfair scheduling, and inconsistent refereeing are rife. When supporters lose faith in the fairness of competition, they tune out altogether.
‘FAM vs MFL: Who’s in charge?’
It’s time to clarify the chain of command. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) cannot continue to disown the M-League under the pretext that it falls under the Malaysian Football League.
If FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub is serious about rescuing the sport, he must intervene decisively.
There were high hopes when MFL CEO Giorgio Pompili Rossi took charge. But following his abrupt resignation and the appointment of Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd, meaningful reform remains elusive.
Malaysian football doesn’t need another rebrand or glossy campaign. It needs teeth. It needs accountability. A robust overhaul must include licensing enforcement, financial controls, and incentives for clubs that excel in youth development and budgeting discipline.
‘The road ahead: reform or ruin’
The M-League stands at a dangerous crossroads. Without structural reform, it will continue to shrink – not just in numbers, but in relevance and credibility.
A league where players go unpaid, referees are distrusted, youth is neglected, and fans disengage isn’t professional. It’s a failed ecosystem.
This isn’t just about JDT’s dominance. It’s about whether Malaysian football has a future at all.
If the MFL is serious about salvaging what remains, it must return to basics: enforce licensing rules, rein in reckless spending, prioritise grassroots development, professionalise officiating, and restore competitive balance. Only then will sponsors re-engage, fans return, and players commit to the sport with confidence.
Until then, the league will keep losing clubs, supporters – and, most tragically – an entire generation of footballing talent.
Malaysian football deserves better. But wishing won’t make it so. Only bold, courageous reform will. – May 4, 2025
Sandru Narayanan is a sportswriter at Scoop
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