PETALING JAYA: Football legend Datuk James Wong hopes Malaysia will repent and return to their original path of producing local players.
The 72-year-old former Sabah striker felt that if Malaysia had trusted their home-bred players, the recent episode where FIFA suspended seven mixed-heritage players, could have been avoided.
The world body recently announced the suspension of seven Malaysian players of mixed heritage – Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal, Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca and Hector Hevel – citing irregularities in documentation and eligibility verification.
They had represented the country at the Asian Cup qualifiers against Vietnam on June 10.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) were also fined RM1.8mil for the offence.
James bemoaned the suspension and described it as a ‘’shameful’’ setback that should serve as a wake-up call for the nation’s football administrators.
Affectionately known as King James, he said the controversy reflected poor planning and misplaced priorities within the country’s football structure.
“It is a weak move just to make the team stronger,” said James, who played 36 times for Malaysia between 1972 and 1981, scoring 23 goals and winning two SEA Games gold medals in 1977 and 1979.
“It’s time for the national body (FAM) to review their processes. I’m sure FIFA would have done their homework before releasing the findings.”
FIFA’s punishment sent shockwaves through local football circles, particularly as the affected players had already represented Malaysia at the international level.
James, whose partnership with Hassan Sani remains one of the most iconic in Malaysian football history, particularly for their match-winning combination against South Korea in the 1980 Olympic qualifier, said the obsession with fast-tracking foreign-born players was undermining true football development.
“I don’t know why we’re in such a hurry to make our team super strong.
“What we need to focus on is development of our boys back home. We need to bring them up and see them play for the nation.”
James, who scored the famous winning goal that sent Malaysia to the 1980 Moscow Olympics, said the national football leadership needed to reflect deeply on the direction the game was heading.
“We all know our Super League doesn’t have many top-quality local strikers. But instead of fixing that weakness, why are we trying to patch it up?”
“Football development is never-ending - we should always be learning. Winning matches is nice, but I’d like to see a team full of locals winning. These days, our team look like they’re from Europe. It saddens me.”
James acknowledged that the global football landscape has evolved.
“Times have changed, yes, but why must we keep looking at foreign players instead of concentrating on our own people?” he questioned.
“The national football body must have a long-term vision. It’s not just about strengthening the national team with overseas players. We should be focusing on Malaysians living here, in our own country.”
Now serving as president of the Sabah Ex-State Footballers Association, James is focusing on grassroots football development in his home state.
“We’re working with boys from Form One to Form Three, teaching them the basic skills of the game.
“We believe technique can take them far. As former footballers, we’re doing our part to help Sabah produce players who can one day represent the state and hopefully the country.”
