PUTRAJAYA – The Malaysia Super League faces the risk of collapse in the next few years if salary issues among several clubs are not resolved immediately, said local sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli.
Less than two months since the start of the Malaysia Super League in May, the football industry is already plagued with delayed wage payments – not the first time this has happened.
Teams like Sri Pahang, Perak, Sabah, and Kedah have been reported to struggle with salary payments.
As a result, several players from the Sri Pahang squad have taken to social media to criticise their employers.
Pekan attributed this problem to an uneven salary structure among local footballers, where some reportedly earn tens of thousands of ringgit per month, which exceeds the earnings of many other professionals.
He also said that many teams have not learned from past incidents and continue to chase star players to elevate their team status, rather than focusing on grassroots player development.
This season, Kelantan TRW became the latest casualty of wage payment issues, withdrawing from the Super League.
Last year, similar problems led to the folding of Melaka United and Sarawak United, while UiTM FC were compelled to withdraw due to financial constraints.
Petaling Jaya City faced a similar fate when they withdrew from the Super League in 2022, and Perlis, once champions of the 2004 Malaysia Cup, folded in 2019.
These are only the most recent examples from the past five years, all linked to salary problems.
Pekan warned that if this trend continues without immediate reforms or drastic changes, the Super League will be on the brink of collapse.
“I am concerned about the league’s sustainability because even with just 13 teams remaining this season, wage payment issues persist.
“There seems to be no resolution in sight for this phenomenon. It is alarming that we may only have 10 teams next season. What has become of our football?
“Currently, there are only two or three dominant teams while the rest are struggling in the Super League. Where is the competitiveness of our league heading?
“Football cannot thrive if only a handful of teams are competitive. This situation demands serious attention,” he said when met during the flag handover ceremony for the ASEAN University Games in Putrajaya.
Despite the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) introducing a salary cap, not all teams adhere to the proposed salary scheme.
Therefore, if the salary structure among football players in Malaysia is not effectively managed, it is plausible that the Super League could dwindle to only three or four teams, as they possess the financial means to sustain competitiveness.
“If teams struggle to secure sponsorship, they should ask themselves why the sponsors are reluctant to collaborate.
“It’s because our football is frequently shadowed by negative narratives, and sponsors are afraid it might tarnish their reputations.
“Cut your coat according to your cloth. There should be no shame in reflecting on our own shortcomings for the betterment of Malaysian football,” he added. – June 20, 2024