KUALA LUMPUR – There is no second chance for Melaka United FC and Sarawak United FC as the Malaysian Football League (MFL) Licensing Appeal Body (AB) has rejected both Super League clubs’ appeal for the 2023 national club licence.
A decision made by the First Instance Body (FIB), an independent decision-making body, stated that the clubs had their national club license application rejected due to not meeting the requirements set in MFL’s club licensing rules.
Following FIB’s decision on October 12, both clubs were given until October 19 to lodge an appeal in writing to the AB on the refusal to grant them the license.
The news was confirmed by MFL chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam, who said the decision was made based on the appeal according to Article 3.4.4 of the MFL Club Licensing Regulations 2022, which states:
“The AB shall make its decision based on the decision of the FIB and all the evidence provided by the license applicant or licensor before the FIB with its written request for appeal together with submission of the ‘MFL Club Licensing Appeal Form” within the deadline determined by the chairman of the AB.”
Stuart said both Melaka United and Sarawak United have been notified of the AB’s decision earlier today, but MFL has yet to receive a response from either side.
“For the 2023 Super League, there will be 16 teams. These two clubs are no longer allowed to compete in the Super League,” he said in a press conference today at the MFL office.
Previously, MFL had announced that the league would be restricted from next year onwards, with 18 teams to be featured in the Super League compared to the current 12, and the Reserve League introduced in place of the Premier League.
Stuart added that the remaining option for the clubs is to join the M3 league, as it is managed by the Amateur Football League.
“The clubs will not be allowed to join any leagues that are under MFL. But they are welcome to explore other options,” he said.
In August, several Sarawak United players claimed to have not been paid for four months, forcing them to be evicted from their homes.
The Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia has also been urged to set a hearing date at the National Dispute Resolution Chambers regarding salary arrears faced by 17 players from Melaka United. – The Vibes, November 1, 2022.
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