Malaysian sports minister wants football clubs to be run better so investment will flow in
Efforts to attract, retain sponsors also undermined by player-welfare issues, Hannah Yeoh says: ‘Those not capable should not touch it’
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 investment in the domestic league and safeguard player welfare, state media reported on Tuesday.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the failure of some domestic clubs to manage fundamental responsibilities, such as paying salaries, has probably 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,” 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.”
Malaysian football has suffered financial hardships in recent years, leading to some clubs being penalised, relegated or withdrawing from the league. The Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia has said many professional clubs struggle to pay salaries on time.