Coach Ong Kim Swee: ‘Malaysia must focus on youth development after FIFA scandal’

29/09/2025 08:52:00 FieldFrenzy

Former national team head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee believes that the true power of Malaysian football lies in the youth training system and that the country must now place greater emphasis on this area following FIFA’s punishment related to allegations of forged documents involving naturalized players.

Currently coaching Persik Kediri (Indonesia), former Malaysia national team head coach Ong Kim Swee understands more than anyone the significance of building from the foundation. To him, the current case is not only a legal issue but also a warning that no football nation can grow strongly without a solid training base.

"We should not complicate matters while the appeal process is still underway," Kim Swee said.

Coach Ong Kim Swee said, “We must have a plan – Plan A and Plan B. Every country in the world does this.” Photo: NST

"I feel very saddened by this situation – it happened so unexpectedly. Even before the incident broke out, Indonesians had already started questioning our players."

He called for calm and a comprehensive viewpoint, stressing that what is needed now is patience and a clear plan instead of blaming each other.

"After what has happened, this is not the time to criticize one another. We need a plan – both Plan A and Plan B. Every other country does the same," he said.

According to Kim Swee, Plan A hopes for a successful appeal to keep the current framework intact. But Plan B demands a deeper change: refocusing on developing domestic talents capable of playing at the highest level.

"We need to ask ourselves – can we accept playing without these players? Can we still believe we have the strength to compete?" he questioned.

Meanwhile, two Malaysian football legends – Datuk Dollah Salleh and Hairuddin Omar – also called for calm, optimism, and unity while FAM awaits the appeal results.

Both former national players expressed confidence that FAM will receive a positive ruling from FIFA soon, after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee recently imposed heavy penalties and suspensions on seven naturalized players.

"Everyone needs to remain calm. We have discussed thoroughly, and I believe a solution will be found within 10 days," Dollah – currently FAM Vice President – shared.

"I am optimistic that a positive decision awaits FAM."

On the evening of September 28, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) admitted errors in the naturalization process of seven players for the national team, but these were identified as technical mistakes.

"FAM is waiting for the full ruling from FIFA before submitting an appeal according to the current procedures and legal measures. FAM announces that we discovered a technical error in the submission process conducted by administrative staff. FAM takes this matter seriously. However, FAM emphasizes that the players involved are legitimate Malaysian citizens," stated the official announcement from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

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