Malaysian Super League Allows 15 Foreign Players, Indonesia Considers 11 Slots

The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has officially allowed Super League clubs to register up to 15 foreign players starting next season — a landmark move aimed at increasing competitiveness and drawing international talent.

This regulation marks a significant leap from previous quotas and is expected to influence how other Southeast Asian leagues approach foreign player policies.

Indonesia Proposes 11 Foreign Player Quota

PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB), through Managing Director, Ferry Paulus, has submitted a proposal to the PSSI to raise Indonesia’s foreign player quota from eight to eleven players per club.

Regulation on Fielded and Bench Players

According to the draft, clubs would be allowed to field up to 8 foreign players per match, while the remaining 3 players can be listed on the bench. The goal is to enhance the overall competitiveness of Liga 1 Indonesia, especially in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions.

Mixed Reactions from Liga 1 Stakeholders

The proposed regulation has sparked debate within Indonesian football circles:

• Supporters argue that more foreign talent can boost club performance in continental competitions.

• Opponents raise concerns over whether clubs have the financial capacity to manage the wages of additional foreign players.

If implemented, the new policy would place Indonesia’s Liga 1 among the most foreign-player-friendly leagues in Southeast Asia — following closely behind Malaysia’s Super League.