KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Indian Football Association (MIFA) are filling the slot in the 2019 Super League to replace 2018 Premier League runners-up, Felcra FC who have withdrawn from the competition due to serious financial problems with Felda United who earned automatic promotion as 2018 Premier League champions.
The decision was taken by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) Board of Directors to fill the vacancy left by Felcra FC to complete the quota of 12 teams in the next season Super League competition.
According to the statement issued by MFL today, MIFA who took the third place in the 2018 Premier League were given priority as they made good efforts to comply with MFL requirements and showed clear future plans for the community as well as to improve relations with their supporters.
In fact, MFL also believed MIFA who received new investment would boost the team to be more stable in future.
However, MIFA must first meet eight criteria to enable the team to play in the Super League next season.
Meanwhile, Perlis FA would be promoted to the Premier League with Terengganu FC II, who are the champions of the Challenge Cup 2018, and Selangor United as 2018 FAM Cup runners-up.
According to the statement, a meeting was held at Wisma FAM on Thursday, involving MFL chief executive officer Kevin Ramalingam and FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam with Perlis FA president Datuk Ahmad Amizal Shaifit in which the promotion was awarded on the condition Perlis FA settled its existing outstanding salary problems.
Apart from that, 2018 FAM Cup champions Terengganu City FC and Kuantan FC were booted out of the Premier League next season due to unresolved salary problems.
The teams in the 2019 Super League included five-time champions, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Felda United, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka United, Pahang, Perak, PKNP FC, PKNS FC, Selangor, Terengganu FC and MIFA.
The 12 teams in the Premier League are Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Johor Darul Ta’zim II (JDT II), Sabah, Sarawak, Penang, Perlis, Terengganu FC II, Selangor United, UKM FC, UiTM FC and PDRM FA. – Bernama
