Import player quota in Malaysia should be cut to ease clubs’ financial burden, says ex‑Kelantan FC CEO

KOTA BHARU, May 8 — The import player quota in domestic competitions organised by the Malaysia Football League (MFL) should be reviewed to ensure a more competitive and financially sustainable tournament structure, said former Kelantan FC chief executive officer Ahmad Muzakkir Hamid.

He said the proposal to reduce the import player quota had their own rationale, particularly in helping teams to manage expenses while creating more opportunities for local players, as well as to narrow the gap between big and smaller teams in the league.

“All teams should be given the opportunity to compete on a level playing field in order to create a more competitive league and reducing the import player quota could also minimise the risk of teams withdrawing from the league due to financial problems,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The proposal to review the import player quota was raised by several football clubs’ representatives during a roundtable session held by the MFL last week.

Ahmad Muzakkir said for this season, MFL allows Super League clubs to register up to 15 import players depending on their financial capability, with only six allowed to be fielded at any one time.

He proposed that teams competing in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) and Shopee Cup be allowed to sign an unlimited number of import players, but only three should be fielded in domestic matches.

Through this approach, he said local players would have greater opportunities to break into the starting eleven, while easing the financial burden on clubs, particularly in relation to players’ salary as team managements would not need to rely too heavily on import players to compete with financially stronger clubs.

“This could also minimise the risk of teams withdrawing from the MFL tournaments, particularly the Super League, due to financial problems,” he said.

Ahmad Muzakkir said the Football Association Malaysia (FAM) had previously limited clubs to three import players and had also implemented a no-import-player policy in 2008, which later contributed to Malaysia winning the 2010 AFF Cup.

“MFL must have the determination to look at the bigger picture for the development of national football and not merely protect the interests of certain clubs,” he added. — Bernama