PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) took a step towards shaping the future of domestic football by hosting a strategic round table discussion with the clubs and partners in Kuala Lumpur.
The session, attended by representatives from 12 clubs, was designed as an open and progressive platform aimed at generating solutions to strengthen the league in the short and long term.
Chaired by MFL president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, the meeting began with a comprehensive presentation by chief executive officer Shazly Shaikh.
Key areas covered included competition management updates for the 2025–2026 season, commercial and broadcasting strategies, the implementation of Financial Fair Play (FFP), and preliminary planning for the 2026–2027 calendar.
The discussion then opened to club representatives, who exchanged views, raised concerns and offered proposals aimed at improving the league’s overall structure and direction.
Johor Regent and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim also came for the meeting albeit for a short while but made his points clear.
He proposed initiatives to enhance club revenues through stronger engagement with supporters, underlining the importance of financial sustainability.
MFL described the dialogue as professional and constructive, highlighting the importance in aligning clubs with the league’s long-term roadmap while improving competitiveness and quality.
Among those present were MFL board members Mustaza Ahmad, Iswandi Ali Hassan (Kuching City chief executive officer), Jeffery Chew (Penang general manager) and Datuk Seri Mohamad Jaifuddin Bujang Mohidin (JDT director), along with representatives from clubs including Selangor, Terengganu, Police, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu and Kuala Lumpur.
The session reinforced a collective commitment among stakeholders to drive Malaysian football forward with improved governance, financial discipline and fan engagement.
OTHER POINTS FOR REFORM
* Formation of an independent professional refereeing body.
* Greater representation of league partners on the MFL board.
* Better scheduling and logistical plans for teams especially those from Borneo.
* Financial Fair Play to succeed in the 2027-2028 season, with MFL hopeful no salary issues that season.
* Forming a financial model that allows fans to invest in teams, for example, pay-per-view schemes to increase broadcast money.
* Providing an avenue for referral to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to enhance the level of accountability in league management.
