PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) are holding firm on their decision to trim the Super League from 14 to 12 teams next season, insisting the move is about long-term financial health rather than a simple numbers game.
MFL will also do away with conditional licences, a safety net that has repeatedly failed clubs such as Kelantan, Perak and Kedah, many of whom were later relegated, withdrew mid-season, or folded entirely. MFL chief executive officer Shazly Shaik Mohd said it was time to walk the talk.
“Enough is enough – we will no longer hand out conditional licences,” said Shazly.
“Every single year, we’ve faced the same recurring issue – teams failing to pay player’s salaries.
“By reducing to 12 teams, we ensure only financially healthy clubs compete. It’s about quality over quantity. A downsized but stable league is better for everyone.”
Clubs that fail to meet licensing criteria will either be denied entry or dropped from the top flight altogether.
The restructuring also means three A1 Semi-Pro League clubs, Kelantan the Red Warriors, Universiti Malaya (UM) -Damansara and Bunga Raya, will have to wait another season before earning a Super League shot, despite their interest in playing the top division.
Last season in the A1 Semi-Pro League, Kelantan finished fourth in the A1 League, UM-Damansara sixth, and Bunga Raya 12th.
Shazly pointed to squad readiness as another sticking point, noting UM-Damansara’s roster is half made up of students, a composition he said was incompatible with a fully professional top division.
Kelantan, while fielding professional players, still needs to climb the A1 standings first.
Travel costs also weighed heavily on the board’s decision.
With three Borneo-based sides in the mix, away trips to Sabah and Kuching City require two flights for Peninsular clubs – a costly logistical burden, even though Brunei covers its own travel.
Cutting two teams removes two away and two home fixtures per club, easing the financial strain.
