KUALA LUMPUR: Sports observer Sadek Mustaffa is hoping the implementation of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations in Malaysian football this season will deliver the desired results.
The Malaysian Football League (MFL) announced that FFP would prioritise monitoring salary payments, addressing league issues and enhancing club financial accountability in its first year.
Stricter revenue and spending regulations will be enforced from the second year onwards to ensure clubs' long-term sustainability.
Sadek is, however, concerned that clubs could still miss the point and face compliance issues.
"FPP is common in European football and has been successful. But in the context of the M-League, we need to ensure that clubs understand what FFP is about," said Sadek today.
"We have seen M-League clubs struggle with club licensing since its inception and even big clubs have been kicked out of the M-League.
"The question is whether the clubs can comply with the FPP regulations."
Sadek said MFL's decision to increase the number of import players could affect local player development.
"Some of MFL's decisions seem to favour only certain clubs," said Sadek.
"And there is also the argument that clubs should not sign foreign players if they cannot afford them.
"However, if clubs don't sign imports, their fans will not be happy, as it is seen as not being ambitious. More foreign players, however, will result in fewer playing minutes for local players.
"There is plenty of evidence of local players suffering decline, as they don't get playing minutes in the M-League. This has resulted in the national team suffering a slump in their performance.
"MFL and FAM should consider the impact of their decisions. Decisions should benefit Malaysian football and not just certain clubs."
This season, six foreign players will be allowed on the pitch during matches, which is one more than was allowed in the M-League last year.
The Under-23 MFL Cup will also allow three imports and two overage players this season, compared with two imports and one overage player last year.
ENDS
KW: Football, Malaysian Football League, MFL, M-League, Sadek Mustaffa, Financial Fair Play, FFP
