KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) will mark its 10th anniversary next February, but it seems that Malaysian football is in bad shape.
M-League clubs have been suffering financially, some have closed shop, and even the prominent ones are struggling to pay players their wages.
Sports pundit Sadek Mustaffa believes it is high time for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and MFL to take corrective measures to resuscitate the M-League.
He suggested downsizing the MFL and bringing it back under FAM's control as part of the measures.
"Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, MFL moved its office to the FAM headquarters, which was a sign of financial instability. After the pandemic, they should have re-strategised, as the league now appears to be running at a deficit," said the Universiti Teknologi Mara Sports Science and Recreation senior lecturer.
"The pandemic's financial impact was severe across many sectors. MFL should have conducted an impact study to assess the situation and find ways to help M-League clubs survive.
"Most large businesses and companies are concentrated in the Klang Valley and Johor, leaving other states without major partners or sponsors, and with limited support for their football clubs. Without significant resources, these clubs struggle.
"But if you look at the rules and regulations, they favour the larger clubs in the Klang Valley and Johor. This makes it harder for other clubs to remain competitive, and diminishes the value of the M-League in the long run.
"For now, I believe MFL needs to restructure to cut costs and make the M-League affordable for all clubs. The FAM competition committee could take over the running of the M-League. I don't see this violating any Asian Football Confederation or Fifa regulations."
Sadek stressed that any reform of the M-League should focus on better governance, particularly in overseeing players' wages.
"Clubs are advised not to spend money that they don't have, but the reality is most clubs can't afford not to spend. If they don't invest in big name players, they are seen as lacking ambition and struggle to attract supporters and sponsors," he said.
"Now these clubs are stuck and have to take gambles. Many changes are needed for football to be seen as a viable industry, including changes to government policies.
"For now, the MFL and FAM should focus on building from the ground up and not try to emulate countries like Japan, which is now reaping the benefits of years of groundwork."