KUALA LUMPUR – The upcoming 2025/2026 Super League season is anticipated to proceed without financial issues, thanks to the stricter Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations implemented by the Malaysia Football League (MFL).
Speaking to Scoop, MFL president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said that the introduction of new financial monitoring technology under the FFP framework will be vital in ensuring that only financially sound teams can participate.
“We manage this through FFP. Previously, we conducted checks every six months, but now it will be every three months, allowing for continuous monitoring.
“As I’ve mentioned before, teams must declare their budgets. This is crucial, and I am optimistic that we can achieve this. There should be no problems in the 2025/2026 season,” Ghani said.
He emphasised that financial oversight will now occur in real time with the new FFP system, rather than at set intervals.
Addressing concerns about the allowance of up to 15 foreign players per team, which some fear could lead to financial strain, he clarified that each club will be evaluated based on its actual financial situation.
“If you can only afford five, then sign five. Don’t let ambition dictate your decisions. We will provide guidance and monitor the situation closely.
“It’s essential that they honestly declare their budgets from the outset. We want to avoid repeating the same issues every year,” he added.
The MFL earlier announced a standardisation of player registration limits to 30 for all clubs, including those in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) and AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2).
Previously, ACLE and ACL2 clubs could register 34 players, while other Super League teams were limited to 32.
In a recent board meeting between MFL and Super League clubs, it was decided that all clubs could register up to 15 foreign players, but only nine can be included in the matchday squad (including substitutes), consisting of four unrestricted players, one Asian player, and two ASEAN players.
With the full implementation of the FFP, the Malaysian League is now set to have a renewed focus, capping salary expenses at a maximum of 80 percent of a club’s annual budget for the 2025/2026 season. – June 7, 2025