FIFA continues to impose sanctions on Malaysian football

The two Malaysian clubs, Kelantan Red Warriors and KL City FC, have recently been prohibited from making transfers by FIFA; earlier, the Football Association of Malaysia was also penalized regarding player citizenship matters.

Malaysian football has just received some unfortunate news as FIFA has enforced a transfer ban on the two clubs Kelantan Red Warriors (KRW FC) and KL City FC.

According to data from FIFA's Transfer Matching System (TMS), both teams have been placed on the restricted list since December 15, 2025. However, to date, neither club has issued any official announcement regarding this matter.

The transfer ban is a severe blow to the preparations of Kelantan RW and KL City for the upcoming season. This ban means both teams cannot register new players in the next transfer window, directly impacting their squad rebuilding efforts, especially since both are currently undergoing team restructuring.

Previously, Kelantan RW signed Brazilian striker Wesley Barnaske, while KL City FC is reportedly pursuing Peruvian midfielder Sergio Peña. However, if FIFA's ban persists long-term, these deals risk being delayed or canceled.

The cause of the sanctions has not yet been disclosed, but experts believe it likely stems from contract disputes or unpaid player wages, common reasons behind similar FIFA penalties.

Notably, it is not just the clubs; even the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has recently been penalized by FIFA in connection with player naturalization cases. This issue further damages the image of Malaysian football and highlights management shortcomings, forcing all parties to tighten procedures to prevent future violations.

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