Malaysia calls for better management of local football clubs

Malaysia fans inside the stadium before the Asian Cup match against South Korea. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED May 06, 2025, 04:39 PM

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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s sports minister has called for the country’s football clubs to be managed by parties with genuine financial and managerial skills to boost investments in the domestic league and safeguard player welfare, state media reported on May 6.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said that the failure of some domestic clubs to manage fundamental responsibilities, such as paying salaries, has likely undermined efforts to attract and retain sponsors to support Malaysia’s football development, state news agency Bernama reported. 

“Football has a large audience, which is why I believe that to convince sponsors, all they want to see is how a club is run, how they pay salaries or look after the welfare of players,” Ms Yeoh was quoted as saying. 

“I urge that those who are not capable should not touch it, let others take over. Sometimes, there are those who cannot manage but still want to hold on to power, preventing others from stepping in.”