PETALING JAYA: The Amateur Football League (AFL) has confirmed that Kelantan, who were booted out from the Super League, will join the M3 League competition, now known as the 2024-25 MBSB Bank Championship (MBC).
This comes after the AFL announced that 16 teams will compete this season, an increase from the previous year’s 12 teams.
AFL chairman Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi explained that the increase in the number of participating teams demonstrates the confidence and support of local football industry players towards the 2024-25 MBC.
“Officially, these 16 teams include Armed Forces, Harini Selangor FT, Immigration, Malaysian University, Melaka, YPM, Manjung City, and PIB Shah Alam.
“Also joining the fray are Bukit Tambun, Machan, Gombak FA, Bunga Raya, KL Rovers, UiTM United, Kelantan, and Putrajaya Athletic,” he said.
Kelantan were removed from the Super League this season due to failure to obtain a national licence following issues related to unpaid wages that plagued The Red Warriors. Perlis United were then nominated to replace Kelantan in the Super League but they also failed to meet the requirements to obtain the licence set by the First Instance Body (FIB).
Adding to the disappointment, Mohd Yusoff announced that Perlis United, along with SAINS and Sarawak United, had withdrawn from the M3 League this season.
“We accept the withdrawal of these three teams as they acknowledge facing various constraints, especially in terms of the team’s finances,” he said.
