FAM yet to decide on M-League format

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KUALA LUMPUR: Whether the current format of the Malaysian League will be retained or not next season hinges on the outcome of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) executive committee meeting this month.

FAM deputy president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the exco committee would further discuss the matter following a brainstorming at the end of last year.

“A decision will be made at the FAM exco meeting soon,” he told reporters after watching the quarter-finals of the Sukma XIV futsal competition at the National Sports Complex (Panasonic) in Shah Alam.

Hamidin, who is also the chairman of the FAM Local Competitions Committee, said the FAM state affiliates and football clubs had been tentatively informed of the format but pointed out that he could not make any announcement before the FAM exco committee meeting.

However, he did not discount the possibility that the new formats would see a more competitive season aimed at developing football in the country.

“We will let the FAM Supreme Council decide,” he said. Hamidin also hinted that foreign imports might be allowed to play in the Malaysia League.

He said in the new season, teams must ensure they have good management, especially in terms of finance.

“Problems like defaulting on players’ salaries should not happen again. We want the Malaysia League to achieve its objective of producing calibre players.”

Asked whether the top two Premier League teams — Selangor PKNS and Sarawak — would be promoted to the Super League next season, he replied: “It has not been decided yet.”

He refuted claims that FAM would make changes to the format if Sarawak and Sabah won promotion to the Super League.

“That will not happen because FAM is always fair to all teams. Our main aim is to strengthen the Malaysia League,” he added.