PETALING JAYA: As the Malaysian Football League (MFL) open the floodgates to 15 foreign signings per club, Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) president Safee Sali has issued a timely reminder to clubs - don’t spend beyond your means.

Reacting to MFL’s latest squad regulation changes for next season, Safee stressed the importance of responsible planning, urging clubs to prioritise financial stability and avoid salary-related crises.

“Just because MFL say teams are allowed to have 15 foreigners, that doesn’t mean you have to sign 15,” said the former national striker.

“Strategise well and do it according to your budget.”

While the new rule allows seven foreign players on the pitch and two on the bench, Safee believes the move should not come at the expense of local development.

Instead, he sees this as a challenge for local players to rise and prove themselves worthy of a starting spot.

The league will start in August with Brunei joining in the fray.

“It’s time for our boys to show that they can be better than a foreign player. Clubs with smaller budgets should use this opportunity to scout and develop young local talents.”

He also addressed concerns about the competitive gap in the league, drawing parallels to global football.

“Even teams with financial muscle like Manchester City have their off-seasons. It’s all about solving problems. I hope our clubs can find their way to close the gap.”

The MFL’s move to expand the foreign quota is part of a broader strategy to boost the league’s entertainment value and prepare clubs for continental competitions.

With the league calendar now in sync with international schedules and Financial Fair Play (FFP) fully enforced, clubs are expected to strike a balance between ambition and sustainability.