Malaysia’s football landscape has been rocked by fresh concerns after the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia (KBS) urged for comprehensive reforms following a significant drop in the national team’s global standing.
The latest rankings released by FIFA show Harimau Malaya falling 14 places—from 121st to 135th, a decline that has intensified scrutiny over the current state of Malaysian football.
The drop comes in the wake of a decisive ruling by the Asian Football Confederation, which annulled Malaysia’s victories over Vietnam and Nepal in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers due to the ongoing eligibility controversy involving heritage players.
The sanctions not only impacted Malaysia’s qualification campaign but also dealt a heavy blow to their FIFA ranking under the updated real-time points system.
Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Taufiq Johari, acknowledged the frustration felt across the nation.
“I share the disappointment of Malaysians, especially football fans, over this ranking decline and the controversies surrounding the national team in recent months.”
He stressed that the situation must serve as a critical lesson for all stakeholders, calling for stronger governance and long-term planning to prevent similar issues in the future.
KBS emphasised that football development—particularly at the grassroots level—must remain a top priority, with continued support through the National Football Development Programme.
While maintaining a non-intervention stance in the affairs of the Football Association of Malaysia, the ministry confirmed it will continue working closely with governing bodies to strengthen the ecosystem.
Regular engagement sessions with FAM are expected to focus on strategies to stabilise performances and prevent further ranking decline.
KBS reiterated that it will not interfere directly in FAM’s internal management. However, oversight will continue through the Sports Commissioner’s Office to ensure compliance with governance standards under Malaysia’s Sports Development Act.
At the same time, the ministry has expressed support for FAM—alongside AFC—to conduct internal reforms, including the possibility of a congress to elect new leadership.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
