Missteps in naturalisation process expose deep flaws at FAM
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian football’s reliance on aging naturalised players has reached both a biological and administrative impasse, even as homegrown teenagers prove that the national team’s genuine future lies in its own backyard.
Malaysia's football federation (FAM) relies heavily on naturalised players, with current leadership recently celebrating new FIFA clearances for Bergson da Silva, Brad Tapp, and Manuel Hidalgo. However, the spotlight shifted to 37-year-old Shane Lowry, a 35-year-old Australian defender who sparked controversy due to contradictory filings.
FAM claimed no application was submitted to FIFA due to Lowry's injury, yet a press release four days prior stated otherwise. This inconsistency has fueled scepticism, especially as FIFA and the AFC scrutinize FAM following previous sanctions. The governing body faces criticism over eligibility documents and citizenship irregularities.
While foreign players can count against a club's foreign quota, this advantage is limited for the national team. Naturalised players like Guilherme de Paula and Lee Tuck were naturalised at age 34 and quickly phased out within 18 months. The industry acknowledges that naturalisation caters to short-term club ambition rather than long-term national health, with experts urging FAM to implement strict club caps and protect domestic pathways.
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