M-League dilemma: Team withdrawals, waning fan support, single team dominance
What is unfolding now serves as a warning — a system once built on hope is collapsing under the weight of unresolved structural cracks.
Club withdrawals are now clear indicators of a troubling reality in the M-League, which has also been plagued by months of unpaid salaries for players and officials.
Perak FC has recently decided to dissolve its team and withdraw from the upcoming season of the Super League season due to financial difficulties, having reportedly spent nearly RM40 million over the past three years.
At least three other teams with significant fan base — Kedah Darul Aman FC, Sri Pahang FC, and Kelantan Darul Naim FC — are also contemplating similar exits due to escalating financial issues or reather constraint.
Each club requires between RM8 million and RM15 million annually to operate their senior team.
However, is it fair to place the entire burden of Malaysia's football crisis on the clubs when the root cause may run much deeper?
DIFFICULTY IN GENERATING RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)
Former FAM Executive Committee member Christopher Raj highlighted Perak as a team with a rich history that faces challenges due to the high cost of competing in the Super League, which offers little return of investment (ROI).
'When companies investing in football see no ROI, they are accountable to shareholders and stakeholders and must justify their continued investment in the national or state football scene.
'In this case, it affects more than just stakeholders — players, coaches, and other staff are also impacted. But the players suffer the most.
'Secondly, I believe that, above all, we need quality teams. If we focus on quantity, many issues and challenges will arise. What's the point of having 20 or even 16–18 teams if nine are facing financial crises?' asked Christopher when speaking to Bernama.
ONE-SIDED DOMINANCE
The M-League is now seen as no longer a competitive battleground but one dominated by a single team that has won nearly all major trophies over the past decade. This predictability has led to declining fan interest.
This differs from leagues in developed countries like Japan, South Korea, and Europe, which strive to maintain competitive parity.
Christopher added that the decline in stadium attendance shouldn't be viewed solely as a result of team dominance but rather through multiple perspectives — particularly economic factors impacting fans.
'The low turnout might be attributed to boredom with local football, predictable outcomes, or declining interest. However, economic constraints cannot be overlooked.
'For example, someone earning RM4,000 monthly bringing three family members to a match might spend around RM200 per game. Multiply that by four games a month, and it's RM800 — a significant burden to watch football.
'As a result, fans are making selective choices. They only attend certain marquee matches — like Selangor vs JDT (Johor Darul Ta'zim) or Terengganu vs JDT. They no longer attend every match,' he added.
M-LEAGUE REFORM
Football analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said the M-League crisis should not be attributed solely to the competing teams.
He added that the issue also arises from the need for internal reforms, including strengthening league management and competition regulations, to restore stakeholder confidence.
'We hope the Malaysian Football League (MFL) conducts a thorough review and identifies its weaknesses across multiple aspects. Review competition rules, especially the excessive number of foreign player quotas.
'Re-evaluate complaints from clubs and supporters, particularly allegations of unfair match scheduling that seem to favour certain teams and burden others,' he said.
Pekan added that there is also a need to immediately address officiating quality to prevent negative perceptions about referees' credibility.
He also urged the MFL to strengthen club licensing for league participation.
The status of teams participation in next season's Super League will only be confirmed after May 10 — the extended deadline for completing the National License application documentation but without structural reform and a holistic approach covering governance, financial stability, and competitive balance, Malaysian football risks losing more clubs and the trust of a new generation of fans.
From financial woes and opaque governance to unclear development direction, the M-League is now akin to a building without a solid foundation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Tatchanai program aids 800 Indian students in STPM since 2018
PETALING JAYA: More than 800 Indian students have received guidance for the Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM) through the Tatchanai Teacher Programme since its inception in 2018. Senior Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Anbumani Balan revealed that over 250 of these students successfully secured placements in public universities. The mentoring initiative, backed by Deputy Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, is managed by the Johor Self-Help Association and Social I-Tenaga Association. Conducted online, the programme supports Indian students preparing for STPM examinations. This year, nearly RM200,000 in education incentives were distributed through partnerships with Yayasan Bank Rakyat and agencies under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), benefiting more than 300 high-performing students. Anbumani shared these details after officiating the 'Sathanayalar Santippu' ceremony at the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, which honoured over 100 top-performing Indian STPM students. The event was a collaboration between the two associations and the temple. Johor Self-Help Association chairman Krishnasamy Muniandy highlighted the programme's success as proof of the impact of community-driven efforts. He expressed hope for its expansion across Malaysia to assist more students. - Bernama
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Plastics remain top choice for Hanoi food and beverage shops
HANOI (VNExpress): Most Hanoi coffee shops continue to use plastic to serve customers, not wanting to spend extra money on environmentally friendly materials. Within 30 minutes in the morning at a busy coffee shop on Pham Van Bach Street, around 100 drinks were served, almost all in plastic cups. The practice is common at most food and beverage businesses, who use plastic straws, cups and bags. These contribute to the 1,400 tons of plastic waste discharged in Hanoi daily, 60% of it single-use items, according to the city government. Plastic bags, meanwhile, are typically not recycled because they get contaminated easily and offer little profit for scrap collectors, who can earn more from a single shampoo bottle than dozens of bags. Plastic pollution poses a significant challenge for Vietnam and other countries. Leaked plastic waste contaminates the soil, air, water, and sediments in lakes, rivers, and seas, eventually entering the human food chain. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh wants to turn the situation around. In a recent directive, he ordered Hanoi to trial a ban on single-use plastics in eateries, hotels, beverage outlets, and within Ring Road 1, which goes around the Sword Lake and West Lake to encircle a core area of the city. The initiative will begin in the fourth quarter this year and be expanded in subsequent years. Before the directive some food and beverage businesses had already begun transitioning to eco-friendly alternatives. Hoang Tung, chairman of F&B Investment, which operates six Pizza Home and Com Ga 68 (chicken rice) outlets, said their takeout packaging includes cups, lids, straws, boxes, plastic bags, and utensils. Paper boxes and wooden spoons and forks have replaced plastic items, but scaling up the initiative is challenging since wooden spoons and forks cost four times more. A 360ml biodegradable plastic cup with lid costs over VND2,000 (7 U.S. cents), seven times that of the popular plastic polypropylene (PP). Cheaper plastic items flood the market thanks to their dirt-cheap prices. Environment-friendly items have also proven to be less popular with customers. Tung said paper straws often soften or clog if used too long, and paper bags lack the durability plastic provides, especially for distant deliveries. These issues have plagued businesses like One Kitchen and the Ka coffee chain. Despite using paper boxes, cups and bags, One Kitchen still relies on plastic bags for most deliveries and takeaways. Vu Truong Giang, founder of Ka, said: "We haven't found a viable alternative to plastic bags for takeout, though switching to paper cups was easier." Plastic manufacturer Hunufa's management acknowledged that fully biodegradable plastic bags, unlike those mixed with petroleum-based plastics, do not match the durability of non-degradable plastics despite costing five to seven times more. The company has halted production of these bags due to low demand, only making them now in case of specific orders. "We're researching ways to reduce costs and improve the functionality of eco-friendly products to better compete with plastics," Nguyen Hong Vu, its CEO, said. But transitions require time, he said. "Alternative solutions will only gain traction when they address cost and convenience sustainably." - VNExpress
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Kinoshi won't reveal much to inquisitive Honda
KUALA LUMPUR: Japan football legend and co-founder of Asia Warriors FC, Keisuke Honda, thought he could get some info from his countryman, Selangor head coach Katsuhito Kinoshi, ahead of tomorrow's match at the MBPJ Stadium. But Kinoshi remained tight lipped, as Honda jokingly tried to persuade reporters to ask Kinoshi about his plans during a pre-match press conference at the Selangor FC training centre today. Selangor will use their friendly match against Asia Warriors as part of their preparations for the 2025-2026 M-League. "I asked Kinoshi to share information, but he didn't want to share, so it means that he is gunning for a win against us. "It's going to be a challenging game. I'm looking forward to playing against Selangor," said Honda. Honda said Asia Warriors aim to beat Selangor 1-0, but should the hosts score, they will have to double the score. "I think it's not easy for us to score two goals against Selangor, but that's our game plan, we don't hide any tactics." Kinoshi said that his Selangor team have had a good preseason and, without giving too much away about his squad, said that the Red Giants will have another friendly match after playing the Asia Warriors. Selangor star Faisal Halim, who also joined the pre-match press conference, said: "This is the year I will bounce back and regain my form. This is the time for me to come out with the Faisal Halim (everyone grew to know and love)."
