Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) is targeting the issue of salary arrears involving Malaysia League (M-League) clubs to be resolved within the next two seasons through the implementation of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. MFL president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan stated that the FFP framework, fully enforced for the first time this season, has shown positive progress but requires sustained commitment from all clubs to ensure its effectiveness.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the FFP framework now offers a clearer picture of clubs' financial positions, with average revenues beginning to exceed expenditure. Datuk Ab Ghani urged all clubs to remain committed to the target to be achieved within two more seasons. By the third season (2027-2028), no club should face salary payment issues and should also be able to reduce other liabilities. He shared these insights with reporters after an MFL roundtable discussion with M-League club representatives on Wednesday.
Ab Ghani mentioned that monitoring of FFP compliance will be strengthened through more frequent reviews to ensure optimal adherence. Currently, reviews are conducted quarterly, but he has requested that monitoring be carried out monthly. The roundtable discussion was organized following calls from several clubs for a formal platform to address critical issues, including governance, finances, and the league's direction amid ongoing challenges.
Recurring concerns raised include delays in salary payments to players and team officials by certain clubs, as well as rising operational costs that continue to burden many teams. During the discussion, the Regent of Johor, His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Ismail, owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), made a surprise appearance. He shared his views and emphasized several fundamental issues requiring serious attention, including grassroots development, refereeing standards, sponsorship, and financial discipline among clubs.
In a related development, Ab Ghani announced that MFL and its league partners will review Tunku Mahkota Ismail's proposed model to 'return football to the people,' aiming to restore the true spirit of the sport as a community-driven game. His Royal Highness has provided a proposal file, and Ab Ghani has asked all partners and clubs to study it carefully. They are to review the proposal, and MFL will also assess them before reconvening to discuss and decide. It would be even better if Tunku Mahkota Ismail attends, as the ideas originate from him.