Introduction
There has been calls to revamp the current competition structure of the M-League from several quarters. The proposal below is an opinion I suggested to FAM last season.
Background
Currently the structure of the M-League is as follows:
Super League – 13 teams
Premier League – 13 teams
FA Cup – 30 teams
Malaysia Cup - 18
President’s Cup – 25 teams
Youth Cup – 25 teams
FAM Cup – 8 teams
The odd number poses problems to fixtures and the clubs face problems in preparing teams for the Presidents and Youth Cup due to budget constraints. On the top of that we have to accept the fact that the M-League is more state based as the clubs have problems attracting the fans despite having some quality players in their ranks. Copy of the tickets sold list is attached to justify this argument.
Another issue is that by having such a structure, it gives little or no time at all for the national teams to train thus severely affecting our prospects at the international level.
Hence a new structure is proposed to overcome this situation and the wisdom of the members of the FAM Competition Committee is needed to further discuss the proposal and amend it accordingly if the principle is accepted.
SUPER LEAGUE
Format
All 14 state teams playing in the Super League together with Police and Armed Forces.
The 16 team league will be played on a home/away basis with each team playing 30 matches over the season.
The top 12 teams at the end of the league fixtures will qualify to play in the Malaysia Cup competition
Eligibility of Players
The teams will have to register a minimum of 10 professional players and have the option of registering players with playing contracts that are gainfully employed elsewhere.
Development
It is compulsory for all the 16 teams to have teams in the President and Youth Cup
Subsidy
The 16 teams will receive a subsidy from FAM, the amount to be determined by the Exco.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Format
There will be two divisions in the Premier League, to be named Premier 1 and Premier 2, each having 10 teams.
All current club teams playing in the Super League and Premier League qualify for the Premier One League. The teams are: Johor FC, Upb-MyTeam FC, Brunei DPMM, KL Plus, KM Naza, PKNS, Proton Selangor, Felda FC, Shahzan Muda and Harimau Muda.
The Premier Two will comprise of the current 8 teams playing in the FAM Cup and another two teams are to be included by FAM.
The 10 team league will be played on a home/away basis with each team playing 18 matches over the season.
The top 4 teams, of the Premier One League, at the end of the league fixtures will qualify to play in the Malaysia Cup competition. The bottom three teams of Premier One will be relegated and the top three from Premier Two will be promoted.
Eligibility of Players
The teams will have the option to register professional players and have the option of registering players with playing contracts that are gainfully employed elsewhere. Amatuer players are encouraged.
Development
The club teams do not have to have teams in the President and Youth Cup
Subsidy
The teams will not receive any subsidy except for the four teams that qualify for the Malaysia Cup.
FA CUP
Structure
The competition will be open to all teams in the country provided the club teams receive endorsement from the State FA.
The maximum number of teams for the FA Cup will be as follows:
State Teams – 14
Police
Armed Forces
Premier One – 10
Premier Two – 10
Another 14 places will be made available to club teams recommended by the State FA’s.
Format
The first and second round format will exclude the 16 teams from the Super League and 10 teams of Premier One.
The third round will include teams from Premier One and Super League.
All the matches will be a single match format, no return legs, the exception at the semi finals stage.
Background
Currently the structure of the M-League is as follows:
Super League – 13 teams
Premier League – 13 teams
FA Cup – 30 teams
Malaysia Cup - 18
President’s Cup – 25 teams
Youth Cup – 25 teams
FAM Cup – 8 teams
The odd number poses problems to fixtures and the clubs face problems in preparing teams for the Presidents and Youth Cup due to budget constraints. On the top of that we have to accept the fact that the M-League is more state based as the clubs have problems attracting the fans despite having some quality players in their ranks. Copy of the tickets sold list is attached to justify this argument.
Another issue is that by having such a structure, it gives little or no time at all for the national teams to train thus severely affecting our prospects at the international level.
Hence a new structure is proposed to overcome this situation and the wisdom of the members of the FAM Competition Committee is needed to further discuss the proposal and amend it accordingly if the principle is accepted.
SUPER LEAGUE
Format
All 14 state teams playing in the Super League together with Police and Armed Forces.
The 16 team league will be played on a home/away basis with each team playing 30 matches over the season.
The top 12 teams at the end of the league fixtures will qualify to play in the Malaysia Cup competition
Eligibility of Players
The teams will have to register a minimum of 10 professional players and have the option of registering players with playing contracts that are gainfully employed elsewhere.
Development
It is compulsory for all the 16 teams to have teams in the President and Youth Cup
Subsidy
The 16 teams will receive a subsidy from FAM, the amount to be determined by the Exco.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Format
There will be two divisions in the Premier League, to be named Premier 1 and Premier 2, each having 10 teams.
All current club teams playing in the Super League and Premier League qualify for the Premier One League. The teams are: Johor FC, Upb-MyTeam FC, Brunei DPMM, KL Plus, KM Naza, PKNS, Proton Selangor, Felda FC, Shahzan Muda and Harimau Muda.
The Premier Two will comprise of the current 8 teams playing in the FAM Cup and another two teams are to be included by FAM.
The 10 team league will be played on a home/away basis with each team playing 18 matches over the season.
The top 4 teams, of the Premier One League, at the end of the league fixtures will qualify to play in the Malaysia Cup competition. The bottom three teams of Premier One will be relegated and the top three from Premier Two will be promoted.
Eligibility of Players
The teams will have the option to register professional players and have the option of registering players with playing contracts that are gainfully employed elsewhere. Amatuer players are encouraged.
Development
The club teams do not have to have teams in the President and Youth Cup
Subsidy
The teams will not receive any subsidy except for the four teams that qualify for the Malaysia Cup.
FA CUP
Structure
The competition will be open to all teams in the country provided the club teams receive endorsement from the State FA.
The maximum number of teams for the FA Cup will be as follows:
State Teams – 14
Police
Armed Forces
Premier One – 10
Premier Two – 10
Another 14 places will be made available to club teams recommended by the State FA’s.
Format
The first and second round format will exclude the 16 teams from the Super League and 10 teams of Premier One.
The third round will include teams from Premier One and Super League.
All the matches will be a single match format, no return legs, the exception at the semi finals stage.
