James Wong believes that local players would be able to prove themselves and make it big if given a chance.
He recalled how the national team in his playing days comprised local players who became top strikers, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers.
Wong, fondly known as “King James” to local fans, said the current makeup of the national squad is a far cry from the previous teams.
He described the squad as too “westernised” with import players dominating the scene, especially in recent Super League matches where they are frequently sent out to play.
“Local players don’t get too many chances to play and they are often on the bench,” Wong, who was part of the national squad which qualified for the 1980 Olympic finals, told FMT.
“How are you going to improve without getting any playing time?”
Yesterday, FIFA’s disciplinary committee said the Football Association of Malaysia must pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million) for breaching Article 22 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which relates to forgery and falsification.
Meanwhile, the seven players were fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000) each and given a 12-month suspension, effective immediately.
The players are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
All seven featured in Malaysia’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, after which FIFA received a complaint regarding their eligibility.
FAM is set to appeal the decision.
While Wong described FIFA’s decision as “horrible”, he said the controversy should force FAM to rethink its overdependence on foreign talents.
He also noted that such recruitment practices had come under criticism in the past.
Wong said while mixed-heritage players could claim that one of their parents or grandparents were Malaysian-born, it did not negate the fact that they are foreign-born players.
He suggested that Malaysia should do away with mixed heritage and naturalised foreign players, and only consider having a certain quota of imported players if such a move would help develop local players.
“The so-called imports that come and play for us have to be of a certain quality.
“Don’t give us the less talented ones who are paid a lucrative salary. What are we going to learn from them?”