Melaka and Sarawak set to be kicked out of Super League

Going downhill: Stuart Wark (left) and his Sarawak United team could end up in the third division M3.

PETALING JAYA: Melaka and Sarawak United look set to be kicked out of the newly restructured Super League next year after failing to meet the requirements set in the MFL Club Licensing regulations 2022.

The Malaysia Football League (MFL) First Instance Body (FIB) made the unprecedented decision to not award the two teams a national licence for the 2023 revamped Super League season.

Both teams have been embroiled in unpaid wages for the last few seasons and they have been given a seven-day deadline to make an appeal.

All M-League clubs are required to submit their documentation and financial records to obtain the licence to play in the M-League on Sept 30.

Only 10 teams from the Super League and six from the Premier League have been granted the licence.

FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif revealed that Melaka failed to submit the payment or proof of settlement on their overdue payables to employees as of June and Aug 2022.

Sarawak, on the other hand, failed to meet the financial and sporting criteria and had two FIFA cases involving former players – Sandro Mendonca and Taylor Regan.“This is the first time that the FIB have made a landmark decision like this. It’s now up to the FIB Appeals Body to decide their fate,” said Sheikh Mohd Nasir in a press conference yesterday.

Meanwhile, MFL chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said the 2023 Super League will feature 16 teams if Melaka and Sarawak United are booted out.

The 10 Super League teams are Johor Darul Ta’zim, Sabah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Petaling Jaya City, Pahang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The six teams from the Premier League are Kelantan, Kuching City, Kelantan United, Perak, Police and UiTM.

“This decision by the FIB removes the stigma of M-League teams having unpaid wages issue.

“We will have 16 teams in the Super League next season, which had always been the ideal number.”

Ramalingam hinted that Melaka and Sarawak could end up in the third division M3, which is organised by the Amateur Football League (AFL).

“Based on the structure of the M-League, they can play in the M3 but it’s up to the AFL to decide,” said Stuart.