“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.” – Bill Shankly, legendary Liverpool FC manager
PART 1
FOOTBALL, often dubbed the beautiful game, stands unrivalled as the world’s most beloved sport – celebrated for its simplicity, inclusiveness, and power to unite people across geography and class.

From muddy village fields to the world’s grandest arenas, it connects people of all backgrounds. Its low barrier to entry has made it more than just a pastime – it’s a shared language spoken by billions.
As Goal.com notes, football’s accessibility attracts everyone from seasoned professionals to weekend warriors, while the 2022 FIFA World Cup drew a staggering 5.4 billion viewers, according to GiveMeSport – a testament to the sport’s unparalleled reach and resonance.
This universal love for football finds one of its most passionate expressions in Malaysia. Here, the roar of the stadium often drowns out even political discourse, and the game is discussed with the gravity of national affairs. It is a symbol of unity, pride, and aspiration – a cultural cornerstone deeply embedded in the Malaysian identity.
According to Twentytwo13, football remains the nation’s most cherished sport. Local derbies – from the fierce Klang Valley rivalry to matches involving JDT, Kedah, and Perak – continue to ignite fervour both online and in the stands.
Yet beneath the chants and full terraces lies a sobering truth: the very structure supporting Malaysian football is faltering. Cracks in development pathways, league management, and long-term vision now threaten the sustainability of the sport that so many hold dear.
When the Game Falls Apart
Despite its popularity and cultural significance, Malaysian football is grappling with a sobering reality: passion alone is no longer enough to sustain the game.
This year alone, two high-profile clubs – Perak FC and Kedah Darul Aman (KDA) FC – effectively ceased operations. Their undoing had little to do with on-field results and everything to do with unpaid salaries, broken promises, and poor governance.
For affected players, the collapse wasn’t merely financial. It meant shattered careers, silent stadiums, and dreams fading into the distance. In Perak’s case, several youth development programmes were also halted, interrupting the pipeline for future talent.
What was once a unifying kampung conversation starter now faces a credibility crisis – marred by mismanagement, weak regulation, and an overreliance on public funds.
From elite Super League outfits to underfunded grassroots sides training on borrowed fields, the cracks are no longer hairline – they are cavernous.

Financial Meltdown in Motion
Malaysia’s football troubles now point to systemic failure. Fragile financial planning, overspending, and poor oversight have left many clubs teetering on the brink.
In May, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh underlined the need for competence in club management.
“To convince sponsors, they must see how a club is run – how salaries are paid and players’ welfare is upheld,” she said.
Sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli identified unsustainable expenditure as the key issue.
“It’s like earning RM1,000 but spending RM5,000. Debt is inevitable when income doesn’t match outgoings,” he said.
“The burden grows when there’s no effort to increase income.”
There have also been reports of unpaid wages dragging on for months, with some foreign players filing cases with FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber.
It’s Also a Revenue Problem

Beyond mismanagement, clubs are also failing to diversify their income streams. Unlike English Premier League (EPL) outfits, which thrive on broadcasting rights, sponsorships, merchandise and match-day sales, most Malaysian clubs remain overly dependent on state funding.
Only a handful of teams have active commercial departments or community outreach programmes that could convert local support into consistent revenue.
“The real problem isn’t just club-level missteps,” said Pekan. “It’s systemic – involving administration, governance and fan engagement.”
He also criticised the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the Malaysian Football League (MFL) for lax enforcement and oversight.
“While clubs deserve blame, governing bodies must also be held accountable for failing to enforce regulations.”
Tighter Licensing Now Critical
FIFA has imposed transfer bans on nine Malaysian clubs, including Terengganu FC and Kelantan Darul Naim FC, due to unpaid dues and regulatory breaches.
Others include Kelantan FC, Kelantan FA, PT Athletic FC, Sarawak United, Perlis, Melaka United FC, and Melaka United.
These bans not only affect player movement but also taint the international image of Malaysian football.
Pekan argued that licensing must be reformed.
“There should be zero tolerance. Clubs must show at least 50-60 percent of their annual budget in committed funds – not mere projections – before being licensed,” he said.
He also urged for mandatory audits to prevent fiscal mismanagement from spiralling out of control.
“Periodic audits can identify weaknesses and stem financial leakages,” he opined.
Pekan added that players should file formal complaints in cases of unpaid wages.
“It’s about protecting themselves and signalling to the wider ecosystem that mismanagement won’t be tolerated,” he said.
There is also growing support for creating a neutral ombudsman to mediate wage disputes and hold clubs accountable in a timelier manner.
Rethinking Club Infrastructure
In the midst of crisis, some believe a total reimagining of club structures is due.
Football pundit Roshan Narayan advocates for a community-driven model backed by property developers – such as Sime Darby Property and Sunway Group – to create mixed-use developments anchored around football clubs.
“Imagine dinner at the mall, then walking over to a stadium next door,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
His vision includes multi-purpose venues – hosting matches, concerts, and public events – to ensure consistent revenue flow.
Roshan believes developers could become stakeholders, ensuring sustainability.
“Football clubs are like companies – with CEOs, finance teams, staff. If they go unpaid, the system collapses,” he said.
He also proposed football-themed precincts that double as training hubs and social spaces – blending sport, commerce, and lifestyle.
Success Stories Exist
While some clubs flounder, others offer hope.
Selangor FC and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have displayed sound long-term planning. As reported by Selangor Journal, the club received RM10 million this season via Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) and PKNS.

“I hope to see improvements, especially in foreign player selection,” said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Selangor FC has also invested in a new training centre and strengthened its scouting department.
JDT, meanwhile, operates with a clear vision. Back in 2017, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim unveiled a self-sustaining model:
“We don’t rely on sponsors yearly. We have a RM120 million budget to fund infrastructure, stadium upkeep, and our academy,” he said.
The club now stands as one of Asia’s most successful, proving that strategy and discipline yield lasting results. JDT’s Southern Tigers brand has extended into merchandise, digital media, and fan engagement platforms.
Similarly, Wrexham AFC in Wales – rejuvenated by actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds – has shown what’s possible with vision and investment.
Their historic ground, the STŌK Cae Ras, is undergoing a transformative upgrade, with improved facilities for fans and players alike.
Their meteoric rise is fuelled by community, branding, and ambition – a template Malaysia could study closely.
Beyond Money, A Mindset Shift
Saving Malaysian football demands more than cash injections. It calls for a total mindset shift – prioritising transparency, long-term strategy, and proper governance over quick fixes and political games.
There is now a push for the creation of an independent professional league body, distinct from FAM, to oversee club licensing and commercial growth.
Let us not allow players – the very heartbeat of this sport – to keep paying the price for missteps made far from the pitch.
If we fail to act, we won’t just lose games.
We will lose the soul of Malaysian football.