JDT player list sparks debate as foreign stars feature as locals
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) squad registration has sparked online debate after several players with foreign backgrounds appeared as locals on the team sheet for their Super League opener against Kuching City.
The Johor Darul Ta zim (JDT) squad registration has sparked online debate after several players with foreign backgrounds appeared as locals on their Super League team sheet for their match against Kuching City. Brazilian forward Bergson da Silva, Argentine Manuel Hidalgo, Australian defender Shane Lowry, and newly signed Australian Brad Tapp were listed under local player status.
This controversy follows the Malaysian Football League's decision to increase the local player quota for the 2026-2027 season, raising the maximum squad sizes from 33 to 38 players. The foreign quota remains at 15, while the local player allowance rose from 18 to 23. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) stated that the decision was made following applications from JDT and Kuching due to congested fixture schedules, and the five additional places are strictly for local players, subject to Financial Fair Play regulations, including an 80 per cent salary cap.
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