Latest news with #MFLClubLicensingRegulations
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Football fraternity questions MFL over Kelantan Darul Naim exemption
KUALA LUMPUR: Why is Kelantan Darul Naim still in the Super League despite flouting club licensing rules? Kelantan Darul Naim's green light to compete in next season's Super League has sparked outrage, with critics accusing the Malaysia Football League (MFL) of undermining its own standards, particularly the requirement for clubs to run youth development teams. Dr Faithal Hassan, Deputy Dean at Universiti Malaya's Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, warned the decision could set a dangerous precedent and weaken the long-term health of Malaysian football. "It's unfair to the clubs that have complied fully with the licensing rules and invested heavily in youth development," he said. "These regulations are meant to ensure continuity and sustainability. Granting exemptions just to make up the numbers defeats the purpose, especially when youth setups require time, effort and significant resources." According to the 2023 MFL Club Licensing Regulations, clubs must operate at least four youth squads, including a mandatory Under-17 and Under-10, with at least three more between the Under-18 and Under-23 range. These teams must compete in recognised tournaments endorsed by FAM or MFL. Yet Kelantan Darul Naim, the only team in next season's 13-club Super League without any Youth or President's Cup side, were still awarded a licence. Newcomers Immigration FC also lack youth teams but, like Melaka FC, who both played in the A1 League last year, have been granted a transitional year. Melaka, however, have already met the youth team criteria by registering sides in FAM competitions. Kelantan, critics argue, no longer meet the basic requirements after restructuring their setup, yet MFL still gave them the green light, a move many see as a step backwards. "There's a serious flaw when exemptions are handed out selectively," said Faithal. "If some clubs can skip youth development while others invest heavily, it creates an uneven playing field. Worse still, it could deter clubs from prioritising grassroots development, which is vital for the national pipeline." Faithal also dismissed MFL's justification that Kelantan met the youth requirement last season as flawed. "The Super League is not a 'practice ground'. Any club entering must be fully ready. Otherwise, we'll continue facing the same old issues — salary arrears, mismanagement and club withdrawals," he said. In response, the MFL stated that Kelantan's licence was granted based on their compliance in the previous cycle. "Last season, they had youth squads, so their application was in order," MFL said. But that explanation has failed to appease many within the football fraternity, who say consistent and transparent enforcement is crucial to restoring faith in the league. Faithal also criticised the lack of transparency in how rules are enforced. "Every year, the regulations change or are applied differently often to suit certain teams. This selective flexibility is hurting the league's credibility," he said. "The only way forward is to publish the licensing regulations in full and enforce them across the board." He added that unresolved salary issues, the over-reliance on naturalised players and the dwindling number of teams in the top flight paint a worrying picture.
The Star
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Sigh of relief as KL, Police and Kelantan get to play in Super League
PETALING JAYA: Super League teams Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Police have officially been granted full national licences by the Malaysian Football League's (MFL) Independent First Instance Body (FIB) after fulfilling all financial compliance requirements. Initially, the clubs had only received conditional approval, pending the submission of additional financial documents by May 31 per Article 8(l) of the MFL Club Licensing Regulations. On Thursday (June 12), the FIB confirmed that all of them had submitted the required documents ahead of the deadline. Following a thorough review and assessment of the additional financial materials, the FIB concluded that each club had successfully met the necessary licensing criteria. FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif extended his appreciation for the cooperation and commitment shown by the three clubs throughout the process, and wished them well in the upcoming season. Earlier, the FIB had also approved the participation of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and guest team Brunei. Additionally, Melaka and Immigration from the A1 Semi-Pro division were granted Extraordinary National Licences, allowing them to compete in the domestic top flight.
The Star
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
MFL grants three teams full license to compete in Super League
PETALING JAYA: Super League teams Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Police have officially been granted full National Licences by the Malaysian Football League's (MFL) independent First Instance Body (FIB) after fulfilling all financial compliance requirements. Initially, the clubs had only received conditional approval, pending the submission of additional financial documents by May 31 per Article 8(l) of the MFL Club Licensing Regulations. On Thursday (June 12), the FIB confirmed that all three clubs had submitted the required documents ahead of the deadline. Following a thorough review and assessment of the additional materials, the FIB concluded that each club had successfully met the necessary licensing criteria. FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif extended his appreciation for the cooperation and commitment shown by the three clubs throughout the process and wished them well in the upcoming season. Earlier, the FIB had also awarded full National Licences to Johor Darul Ta'zim, Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and guest team Brunei. Additionally, Melaka and Immigration from the A1 Semi-Pro division were granted Extraordinary National Licences, allowing them to compete in the domestic top flight.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Kedah and Perak ineligible to play in the Super League
No encore: Kedah players paying respects to their fans at the Darulaman Stadium during a Super League match earlier this season. PETALING JAYA: Two of Malaysia's football heavyweights Kedah and Perak face an uncertain future after failing to obtain the National Licence required for participation in the 2025-2026 Super League season. According to an announcement by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) First Instance Body (FIB), both teams were denied licences due to non-compliance with the financial criteria set out in the MFL Club Licensing Regulations (CLR). Without the licence, Kedah and Perak are currently ineligible to compete in the upcoming Super League, unless a successful appeal or corrective action is made in time with a new investor set to come in. It is learnt that Kedah have also applied to play in the A1 Semi-Pro League, while Perak remain a mystery though in the past there were hints that the team would not pull out. Amateur Football League (AFL) chairman Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said the A1 Semi-Pro League under his stewardship could be a platform for both these teams to rebuild and be part of the big league one day. 'We do not want teams, who when they fall, immediately go missing. The A1 League should be a platform for Kedah and Perak to stay alive, to keep fighting,' he said. 'These teams now need the space to breath, rearrange and slowly build their strength. Our hope is to see them in the big league again.' The MFL FIB confirmed that 11 Super League clubs have successfully obtained their licences, including Johor Darul Ta'zim, Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Pahang and Negri Sembilan. Pahang's status in the league seems to be in limbo in the beginning but looks like the Elephants have done a U-turn and will compete in the top division. However, three clubs were only granted licences with sanctions. They are Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Police. These clubs are required to submit additional financial documentation by May 31. Failure to do so could lead to their licences being revoked. From the A1 Semi-Pro League, Melaka and Immigration were granted exceptional licences under Article 15 of the MFL CLR, allowing them to compete in the Super League next season. FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif stressed that licences are only issued to clubs that comply with six key criteria, which are sporting, infrastructure, personnel administration, legal, financial, and business. 'I congratulate all clubs that succeeded and appreciate their efforts in ensuring full compliance with the licensing standards,' he said. Another team that will be joining the league are Brunei, who officially confirmed on their website that they will be part of the Super League and have signed rightback Fairuz Zakaria from Penang for the Super League challenge.
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Three clubs face Super League axe over licensing issue
KUALA LUMPUR: Three Super League clubs — KL City, Kelantan Darul Naim and Police — are in danger of being booted out of the 2025-2026 season. The clubs must submit additional documentation to fulfil financial criteria by May 31. Failure to comply could see their national licences revoked by the Malaysian Football League's (MFL) independent First Instance Body (FIB). In a statement, the FIB announced that eight Super League clubs and two Amateur Football League (AFL) A1 teams have fulfilled all licensing requirements for the upcoming season. FIB licensing committee chairman Sheikh Nasir Sheikh Sharif said the body required additional time to review the documents before making a final decision on May 22. "I would like to congratulate all clubs that successfully obtained the national licence and commend their outstanding efforts in ensuring their applications were approved," he said. To be granted a licence, clubs are assessed on six key criteria outlined in the 2024-2025 edition of the MFL Club Licensing Regulations — sports, infrastructure, personnel and administration, legal, financial, and commercial. The national licence awarded is valid for one season only. Clubs that have secured full licences for the 2025-2026 season are Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Sri Pahang and Negri Sembilan. In addition, AFL A1 sides Melaka and Immigration FC have also been granted approval to join the Super League. KL City, Police and Kelantan Darul Naim, who received conditional licences, must now furnish additional documentation. Former M-League champions Perak and Kedah Darul Aman failed to secure licences and will not feature in the Super League next season.
