KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has defended the independent First Instance Body (FIB) decision to extend the application deadline for the National Licence for the 2024-2025 cycle.
Last Wednesday, the FIB extended the deadline for Super League clubs to upload their club licensing documents from April 30 to May 10.
The decision was panned by Penang FC who warned that rewarding non-complying clubs would send the wrong message and could damage the credibility of Malaysian football.
However, MFL in an official statement, said the FIB have their reason and justification for the deadline extension.
“The FIB committee appreciates the commitment of the clubs that have completed the document uploading process before or on April 30, in the AFC CLAS licensing system and adhered to the original deadline that was set,” read the statement.
“However, based on written requests submitted by several clubs, the FIB has considered the application for a deadline extension.”
“This extension decision was made based on the authority granted to the FIB under the MFL Club Licensing Regulations 2024 Edition, Article 7, 8 (a), which states that ‘The decision-making bodies must operate according to the principles of natural justice and must as a minimum regulate the following standards: deadlines (e.g. submission deadline, etc.);’ as well as taking into account the specific circumstances for each application and case submitted,” explained MFL.
With this time extension, MFL hopes that the involved clubs can upload the documents at the latest by the new deadline, which is before or on May 10.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
