Latest news with #MLeague
Malay Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
MFL cuts foreign player quota to six for 2025–2026 M-League season, cites need to develop local talent
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — The Malaysian Football League (MFL) yesterday announced an amendment to the foreign player ruling for the Malaysia League (M-League) 2025–2026 season, reducing the number of foreign players allowed on the pitch to six, from the previously announced seven. The decision was made following the 14th MFL Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting for the 2021–2025 term, taking into consideration the impact on the league and the development of local players. In a statement, MFL said the revised foreign player quota will now be 6+3 (substitutes), with a composition of 4 World + 1 Asia + 1 ASEAN players, compared to the previous 7+2 (substitutes) of 4 World + 1 Asia + 2 ASEAN. 'The decision to reduce one foreign player on the pitch is seen as a step towards balancing local and foreign players in the starting eleven on matchday. 'MFL believes that while foreign players add appeal and competitiveness to the league, developing local talent remains a core agenda to support the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in strengthening the Harimau Malaya squad,' the statement added. MFL said the decision also followed feedback from clubs, many of whom felt that additional ASEAN players had little impact on team performance. However, the total number of foreign players a club can register remains at 15. 'Clubs are not obligated to fill the foreign quota, as it depends on their specific needs and financial capacity. 'This is in line with the monitoring of club spending under the Financial Fair Play (FFP) framework, which will enforce a salary cap mechanism limiting player wages to 80 per cent of each club's budget,' it said. In another development, MFL announced the M-League 2025–2026 calendar, with the season kicking off on Aug 8 with the Charity Shield match between Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Selangor FC at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium — which also doubles as the Super League's opening match. According to MFL, the Super League season is expected to end on May 16, 2026 — a 10-month run compared to the 14-month transitional season previously. 'The FA Cup is scheduled to begin on August 15, 2025, with the final set for December 14, 2025. 'The prestigious Malaysia Cup will kick off on January 17, 2026, with the final slated for May 23, 2026,' it added. Meanwhile, the MFL Challenge Cup will begin on February 6, 2026, with the two-legged final matches scheduled for April 4 and April 18, 2026. 'This season, MFL has released the full-season calendar at once, unlike last season's phased announcement. However, adjustments may still be needed due to the AFC's upcoming draw for the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) and AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) on August 15, involving JDT and Selangor FC. 'In addition, both clubs will also participate in the ASEAN Club Championship, with the complete match schedule only released yesterday by the AFF, which has delayed MFL's ability to finalise the M-League calendar earlier for clubs and supporters,' it said. — AFP
Malay Mail
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
VAR to be refined for new M-League season after controversial debut, says MFL
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has said improvements will be made for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for use in the upcoming Malaysia League (M-League) 2025/2026 season after several controversial incidents during its introduction last season. Acting MFL chief executive officer Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd said two special briefings regarding the improvement of the system were conducted by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) together with representatives of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the International Football Federation (Fifa). According to him, this is a step to improve the quality of refereeing ahead of the new season. 'The improvements are not yet in place, but we are aware of it (the issue) because last year was the first time VAR was implemented. 'So from the issues we identified last year, we will improve it for the new season,' he said recently. Last year, FAM Referees Committee chairman Datuk S. Sivasundaram said the performance of the referees and the implementation of VAR were rated as excellent, with an average of 0.57 'On-field Review' (OFR) per match and an average of 2.27 minutes of added time used for VAR reviews. However, several errors sparked criticism, including after referee Razlan Joffri Ali and a VAR official were suspended for two matches after the Super League match between Perak and Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT). Razlan, however, came in for high praise for his excellent refereeing in the 2024–2025 Malaysia Cup final between JDT and Sri Pahang, which JDT won 2–1. Mohd Shazli said the MFL is also now on the right track to ensure that the 2025/2026 M-League season runs smoothly and is free from scheduling delays like those that occurred last season. Therefore, according to him, the full schedule of the new M-League season will be announced after several important elements, such as the Shopee Cup draw and Asian Champions League (ACL), are finalised. — Bernama
Malay Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
JDT add Malaysian international Hector Hevel as fifth signing for upcoming M-League season
JOHOR BARU, June 24 — Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have reinforced their squad for the 2025-2026 Malaysia League (M-League) season with the signing of Malaysia international Hector Hevel, underlining their intent to maintain domestic dominance. The Southern Tigers announced the arrival of the 29-year-old Dutch-born midfielder through a video shared on their official Facebook page late last night, shortly after confirming the addition of Spanish-born defender Jon Irazabal. Hevel, who qualifies to represent Malaysia through heritage, will wear the number 8 jersey with JDT this upcoming season. 'Welcome to the Home of Champions, Hector Hevel. Midfield maestro Hector Hevel is our latest addition!' the club posted in the announcement. The former ADO Den Haag and Portimonense player made a strong start to his international career, scoring on his debut in Malaysia's 2-0 win over Nepal during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in March. He also featured prominently in the national team's 4-0 victory over Vietnam in their Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. With Hevel and Irazabal joining the squad, JDT have now confirmed five new signings ahead of the new season. The other new additions include forward Ibrahim Manusi, Brazilian midfielder Jairo Da Silva and Spanish defender Antonio Glauder. — Bernama
Malay Mail
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Sri Pahang out, 13 teams in for 2025–26 M-League season
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Sri Pahang FC have confirmed that they will not participate in the Malaysia League (M-League) this season despite being granted a National License by the First Instance Body (FIB). The Malaysian Football League (MFL) announced in a statement that the 'Elephants' squad, which received the 2025/26 national license, has decided not to compete in the M-League by submitting a confirmation letter dated June 16. The decision will see 13 teams participating in the new season which will begin on August 8. 'All clubs have been granted the 2025-2026 National License by the independent First Instance Body (FIB) with the club from Brunei, DPMM FC, being granted approval from the International Football Association Board (FIFA) and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) to compete in the 2025-2026 Malaysia League. 'However, Sri Pahang FC, which also received the 2025-2026 National License, have decided not to compete in the Malaysia League this season by submitting a confirmation letter dated 16 June 2025,' said MFL in a statement issued on its Facebook page today. According to MFL, the clubs competing in the championship this time are Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT), Selangor FC, Penang FC, Kuching City FC, Sabah FC, Terengganu FC, Negeri Sembilan FC, Kelantan Darul Naim FC, Kuala Lumpur City FC, PDRM FC and DPMM FC and two clubs from AFL A1, namely Melaka FC and Imigresen FC. Commenting further, MFL announced that this season's Malaysian League calendar will begin with a clash between JDT, the Super League champion and Selangor, the Super League runners-up in the Charity Shield match on August 8, 2025, which is also the league's opening match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Johor. Meanwhile, the FA Cup tournament will begin in mid-August, the Malaysia Cup and MFL Challenge Cup in January 2026. MFL also announced that this season's Malaysian League calendar will run for 10 months, after last season's adjustment which lasted 14 months to align the schedule with international leagues. 'MFL will release the 2025-2026 Malaysian League schedule soon as MFL is facing constraints in completing the full schedule for the season since the AFC will only hold its draw for the ACL Elite and ACL 2 competitions involving JDT and Selangor FC on August 15. 'Meanwhile, MFL is still waiting for the detailed date of the Asean Club Championship from AFF which also involves the participation of JDT and Selangor FC,' according to the MFL. — Bernama
The Sun
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
'Next year I've asked to withdraw': Tengku Abdul Rahman
PETALING JAYA: Will 2024/25 Malaysia Cup runner-up Sri Pahang follow in the footsteps of Perak FC, which withdrew from next season's Super League competition? This comes as the Tok Gajah squad's status—whether they will continue competing in Malaysia's premier football competition (M League)—remains uncertain. When asked if Sri Pahang would still compete in next season's Super League, Sri Pahang owner Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah said: 'Next year I've asked to withdraw.' Tengku Abdul Rahman said this during an interview with Astro Arena alongside the Johor Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who also owns Johor Darul Ta'zim Football Club (JDT), following the Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. Previously, there were claims that the East Coast team would not participate in next season's Super League due to financial issues. During the interview, Tengku Abdul Rahman also congratulated JDT for successfully defending their Malaysia Cup championship after defeating Sri Pahang 2-1. 'Congratulations to JDT, especially Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who has guided JDT for 12 years from a young age. I have followed Tunku Mahkota Ismail's development and ideas. I can see the changes in tempo, quality, and this will further improve the national team,' said Tengku Abdul Rahman. Meanwhile, Tunku Mahkota Ismail admitted to having mixed emotions after JDT successfully lifted the Malaysia Cup and created a new record by achieving a 'quadruple hat-trick'—winning four trophies in one season for the third consecutive time. Tunku Mahkota Ismail acknowledged feeling sad because legendary teams like Sri Pahang will no longer exist next year. 'For me, it's a mixture of emotions because I am certainly happy with this achievement—30 trophies in 12 years. But there is also sadness because legendary teams like Pahang will no longer be around next year.' 'I hope that one day, God willing, Tengku Abdul Rahman might reconsider. But regardless, Tengku Abdul Rahman is my mentor. I have learned much from Tengku Abdul Rahman about how to administer and manage football.' 'So I will always appreciate Tengku Abdul Rahman's sacrifices and will always seek his advice and guidance. Whatever happens, I wish Tengku Abdul Rahman all the best,' said Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
