Malaysian football league system
Association football is a national sport in Malaysia, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1921, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game. The sport of football in the country of Malaysia is run by the Football Association of Malaysia. The association administers the national football team as well as the national league.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
The Malaysian football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for men's association football clubs in Malaysia. The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels, allowing even the smallest club the hypothetical possibility of ultimately rising to the very top of the system. The exact number of clubs varies from year to year as clubs join and leave leagues or fold altogether, but an estimated average of 10 clubs per division implies that more than hundreds teams are members of a league in the Malaysian men's football league system.
Contents
History
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Football arrived in Malaysia (Malaya at that time) with the British. The locals soon picked up the game, and before long it was the country's leading sport. Towards the end of the 19th century, football was one of the central pillars of most sports clubs in Malaya. But it was not structured. Even when the Selangor Amateur Football League took shape in 1905 – which ensured proper administration and organisation – the competition was confined only to clubs in the Kuala Lumpur.
In 1933, Football of Malaysia was founded as Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) which managed the local football scene at that time.[8] By 1954, FAM joined FIFA as a member in AFC.
About the system
The system consists of a pyramid of leagues, bound together by the principle of promotion and relegation. A certain number of the most successful clubs in each league can rise to a higher league, whilst those that finish at the bottom of their league can find themselves sinking down a level. In addition to sporting performance, promotion is usually contingent on meeting criteria set by the higher league, especially concerning appropriate facilities and finances.
In theory it is possible for a lowly local amateur club to rise to the pinnacle of the Malaysian game and become champions of the Malaysia Super League. As the main leagues in Malaysia consist of three tiers, it is possible for a new team to become a champions in just three years if they perform well within the pyramid.
The top three levels contain one division each and are nationwide in scope. Below this, the levels have progressively more parallel leagues, which each cover progressively smaller geographic areas. Many leagues have more than one division. At the lower levels the existence of leagues becomes intermittent. There are also leagues in various parts of the country which are not officially part of the system as they do not have formal agreements with the football associations and run by independent organizers with mostly was held in forms of carnival style where the leagues duration is just couple of days of months. Clubs from state leagues may, if they feel they meet the appropriate standard of play and have suitable facilities, apply to join a league which does form part of the system.
The top two levels of the Malaysian football league system are operated by the Football Malaysia LLP, which consists of Malaysia Super League and Malaysia Premier League. All clubs in this two leagues are fully professional.
The third levels of the Malaysian football league system are operated by the Football Association of Malaysia, which consists of Malaysia FAM League. All clubs in FAM League are semi-professional.
The fourth levels of the Malaysian football league system consist of leagues that runs in parallel. The leagues which are managed by FAM are the Malaysia People's Football League and Malaysia IPT Football League. All clubs in Malaysia People's Football League and Malaysia IPT Football League are amateur. The fourth level also consists of Malaysia States League, which are organized by 14 different states football associations and runs in parallel to the one that are runs by the FAM. It is a semi-professional league consisting of amateur, professional, and company clubs from all over the respective states in Malaysia which compete in their own regional state league. It have multiple divisions within it.
There are other levels after the this which the leagues run within their regional, city, district or sub-district area which are lesser known which most of the teams are amateur levels which may joint the upper-tier level if they want to go further with their team.
Promotion and relegation rules for the top four levels
- Malaysia Super League (level 1, 12 teams): The bottom two teams are relegated.
- Malaysia Premier League (level 2, 12 teams): Top two automatically promoted. The bottom two are relegated.
- Malaysia FAM League (level 3, 18 teams): Top two teams are automatically promoted. Currently there are no relegation in this league. Sometimes, teams might withdraw for financial reason and might be given permission to play in States League.
- Malaysia People's Football League, States League and Malaysia IPT Football League (level 4, various teams each, running in parallel): The champions in each division might get promoted to the Malaysia FAM League if they want to play at national level as long as the fulfil the requirement in terms of club preparation, account balance and other rules set by FAM.
Cup eligibility
Being members of a league at a particular level also affects eligibility for Cup, or single-elimination, competitions.
- Malaysia Cup: Levels 1 to 2
- Malaysia FA Cup: Levels 1 to 3
- Malaysia Charity Shield is a single match played each January between the Malaysia Cup winners and the Super League champions.
The system
The table below shows the current structure of the system. For each division, its official name, sponsorship name (which differs from its historic name) and number of clubs is given. At levels 1–3, each division promotes to the division(s) that lie directly above it and relegates to the division(s) that lie directly below it. Below that level, individual league articles detail promotion and relegation arrangements.
Level one and two in the pyramid, the top two division of Malaysian football, is run by the Football Malaysia LLP, the winners of the top division are regarded as the champions of Malaysia. Level three are run by FAM. Level four consist of multiple leagues run in parallel such as Malaysia People's Football League and Malaysia IPT Football League which are managed by FAM while the States League are managed by their respective states football associations.
|
Level |
Leagues/Divisions |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Malaysia Super League (MSL) 12 clubs |
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| II | Malaysia Premier League (MPL) 12 clubs |
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| III | Malaysia FAM League 18 clubs |
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| IV |
Malaysia People's Football League (LBR) North Zone - (12 clubs) |
State League |
Malaysia IPT Football League[13] Borneo Division |
| V | State League Division 2 |
Malaysia IPT Football League [14] Division 2 |
|
| VI | State League Division 3 |
Malaysia IPT Football League[14] Division 3 |
|
| VII | State District League Division 1 |
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| VIII | State District League Division 2 |
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Unlike most of countries that plays football as a main game, the league system in Malaysia still consist of representative from state association, clubs from company, ministry or government agency.
Malaysia Super League
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The Malaysia Super League (Liga Super Malaysia) is a Malaysian professional league for association football. It is at the top flight of the Malaysian football league system and it is managed by the Malaysia Super League Sdn Bhd, under supervision of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). The league is contested between 12 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Malaysia Premier League. The 12 clubs participating in this top flight league need to pass a set of requirements and verification process, particularly related to professionalism and infrastructure feasibility.[17]
Malaysia Premier League
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The Malaysia Premier League (Liga Perdana Malaysia) is the second-tier football league in Malaysia. The league is currently named Astro Premier League Malaysia (Astro Liga Perdana Malaysia in Malay). The League was previously called the TM Malaysia Premier League because of the sponsorship of Telekom Malaysia.
Malaysia FAM League
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The Malaysia FAM League (Liga FAM Malaysia in Malay and formerly Malaysia FAM Cup) is the third-tier football league in Malaysia. The tournament used to be a cup format, but it changed 2008 as it was held as a league tournament and changing to its current name. Malaysia FAM Cup was established in 1952 as a secondary knockout competition to the more prestigious Malaya Cup, the competition were held between the state teams including Singapore, Police, Army, and Prisons Department of Malaysia in its early days. Starting in 1974, the state teams were barred from entering the competition and only the club sides could enter.
Malaysia People's Football League
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The Malaysia People's Football League (Liga Bolasepak Rakyat in Malay) is the fourth-tier football league in Malaysia. The league which is an amateur-level competition was established in 2015 with aims to create a bigger base at grassroots level and eventually provide an alternative route for footballers under the age of 28 to make the grade.[18] Currently there are a total of 111 teams out of more than 150 possible districts in the country. The teams were divided into 8 zones.[19]
President's Cup League
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The Malaysian President's Cup is the amateur football competition in Malaysia for under-21 players. Since its inception,in 1985, the President's Cup has been the major tournament for under-21 and under-23 players. In 2009, the format of the competition was changed with only under-20 players eligible to be fielded for the tournament.In 2015 the format of the competition reverted to the original format with under-21 players and three over age players eligible to play.[20]
Youth leagues
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The Malaysian Youth League is the amateur football competition in Malaysia for under-19 players. Since its inception,in 2008, the Belia Cup has been the major tournament for under-19. In 2009 to 2011, the competition is combined with President's Cup.In 2015 the format of the competition changed to the league format.[21]
Former system
Before the current known system, Malaysian football league system has undergoes multiple iteration changes since its inception as the countries men's football main leagues in 1979.
Amateur league system (before 1989)
A football league competition involving the representative sides of the state football associations was first held in Malaysia in 1979. When it began, it was intended primarily as a qualifying tournament for the final knock-out stages of the Malaysia Cup. It was not until 1982 that a League Cup was introduced to recognise the winners of the preliminary stage as the league champions. Over the years, the league competition has gained important stature in its own right.
Semi-Pro league system (1989-1993)
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In early days, Malaysian football league system consist of amateur league before the changes in 1989 when it was known as the Malaysian Semi-Pro Football League (MSPFL) from 1989 to 1993.[22]
Initially the only teams only allowed to participate in the league were the state FA's sides, teams representing the Armed Forces and the Police, and teams representing the neighbouring countries of Singapore and Brunei (though the Football Association of Singapore pulled out of the Malaysian League after the 1994 season following a dispute with the Football Association of Malaysia over gate receipts, and has not been involved since).
The inaugural season of MSPFL consisted of nine teams in Division I and eight teams in Division II. The Malaysian Police joined Division II in 1990. Games were played on a home and away basis for about four months roughly between the end of April or early May and the end of August or early September. For the first season three points were awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss, but in subsequent seasons this was changed to a 2,1,0 basis. At the end of the League competition the top three placed teams in both Divisions received prize money while two were relegated/promoted and a play off was staged between the eighth placed team in Division I and the third placed team in Division II. The top six teams in Division I and top two in Division I [also proceeded to the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup.
With the advent of two-league Malaysian Semi-Pro Football League in 1989, Malaysia FAM Cup becomes the third-tier competition. In 1993, the format of the competition was changed to include a two-group league followed by the traditional knockout format.
In 1992, FAM created another amateur league for local clubs in Malaysia to compete which is called National League (Liga Nasional in Malay)[23] The league was managed by FAM outside entity, Super Club Sdn. Bhd. Some of the clubs compete in the league are Hong Chin, Muar FA, PKNK from Kedah, DBKL, PKNS, BSN, LPN, BBMB, Proton, PPC and PKENJ. Unfortunately, the league only runs for couple of season before folded. Some of the clubs was then evolved and joined the main league such as PKENJ which became JCorp and now as JDT.
In 1989 to 1993, Malaysian Semi-Pro Football League, the football league in Malaysia was divided into two levels:
- First Division: Malaysia League Division I
- Second Division: Malaysia League Division II
| Level | Leagues/Divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Malaysia League Division I |
| II | Malaysia League Division II |
| III | Malaysia FAM Cup |
| IV | 14 States Leagues |
Malaysian league system (1994-1997)
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Between 1994 to 1997, there was no second level league as the top two leagues were combined. 1994 is the year where Malaysian football league turns professional. The MSPFL was essentially became the Malaysian Premier League (Liga Perdana in malay), a National League was added, and a second Cup competition, Malaysia FA Cup joined the existing Malaysia Cup.
The newly formed professional football league was almost in peril when it was discovered with bribing and corruption scandal that came into light between 1994 and 1995 where 21 players and coaches was sacked, 58 players suspended and 126 players questioned over corruption by Malaysian authorities.[24][25]
- First Division: Malaysia Premier League
| Level | Leagues/Divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Malaysia Premier League |
| II | Malaysia FAM Cup |
| III | 14 States Leagues |
In 1997, promotion from Malaysia FAM Cup to the professional M-League were introduced for the first time. Johor FC and NS Chempaka FC was the first two sides to be promoted that year.
Malaysian league system (1998-2003)
In 1998 to 2003, the football league in Malaysia was divided again into two levels:
- First Division: Malaysia Premier League 1
- Second Division: Malaysia Premier League 2
Below is the Malaysian football league system from 1998 to 2003.
| Level | Leagues/Divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Malaysia Premier League 1 (LP1) |
| II | Malaysia Premier League 2 (LP2) |
| III | Malaysia FAM Cup |
| IV | 14 States Leagues |
In recent years, top Malaysian club teams has also been admitted to the league competition and the restriction for state FA's team from being relegated was also lifted in order to promote a healthy competition in league.
2004 system revamp
The league was revamp to be a fully professional league in 2004 following the decision by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to privatize the league, but it was not fully privatized. As a result, MSL Sendirian Berhad (or MSL Proprietary Limited) was created to oversee the marketing aspects of the league top-tier league at that time.
Between 2004 to 2006, the professional football league in Malaysia was divided into 2 levels and 2 groups:
- First Division: Malaysia Super League
- Second Division: Malaysia Premier League Group A
- Second Division: Malaysia Premier League Group B
Below is the Malaysian football league system revamp in 2004.
|
Level |
Leagues/Divisions |
|
|---|---|---|
| I | Malaysia Super League (MSL) 8 clubs |
|
| II | Malaysia Premier League Group A (MPL Group A) 8 clubs |
Malaysia Premier League Group B (MPL Group B) 8 clubs |
| III | Malaysia FAM Cup | |
| IV | 14 States Leagues | |
At the end of the season, the top team from each group of the Premier League was promoted to the Malaysia Super League. The teams which finished bottom of each group were relegated to the Malaysia FAM League. The two group champions also faced-off to determine the Malaysia Premier League Championship.
2007 system
Between 2007 until now, the professional football league in Malaysia was only divided into 2 levels when Malaysia Premier League combined into 1 level:
- First Division: Malaysia Super League
- Second Division: Malaysia Premier League
Below is the Malaysian football league system in 2007.
| Level | Leagues/Divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Malaysia Super League (MSL) 11 clubs |
| II | Malaysia Premier League (MPL) 11 clubs |
| III | Malaysia FAM Cup |
| IV | 14 States Leagues |
For the 2006-07 season, the Malaysia Premier League was reorganised into a single league of 11 teams instead of being a competition involving two separate groups of teams.
2008 system
In 2008, Malaysia FAM Cup was changed to league format and become Malaysia FAM League which served as third-tier league in Malaysian football league system.
- First Division: Malaysia Super League
- Second Division: Malaysia Premier League
- Third Division: Malaysia FAM League
Below is the Malaysian football league system in 2008.
| Level | Leagues/Divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Malaysia Super League (MSL) 11 clubs |
| II | Malaysia Premier League (MPL) 11 clubs |
| III | Malaysia FAM League |
| IV | 14 States Leagues |
2013 system
Below is the Malaysian football league system in 2013.
| Level | Leagues/Divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Malaysia Super League (MSL) 12 clubs |
| II | Malaysia Premier League (MPL) 12 clubs |
| III | Malaysia FAM League 22 clubs |
| IV | 14 States Leagues 134 clubs (2013 season) Perlis (8 clubs) |
See also
- League system, for a list of similar systems in other countries
- History of Malaysian football
- List of Malaysia football champions
References
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| Cup competitions |
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| National teams |
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=MAS/about.html About FAM in FIFA Website
- ↑ http://peraktoday.com.my/2015/09/liga-perak-amanjaya-2015-platform-cungkil-bakat-tempatan/ Liga Perak Amanjaya 2015 : Platform Cungkil Bakat Tempatan
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/scoreboard/2015/11/24/kota-raja-left-out-of-the-league-fas-decides-to-exclude-club-after-they-fail-to-respond-to-invitatio/ Kota Raja left out of the league
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://www.bharian.com.my/node/112807 Piala Datuk Sri Vida mampu cari pemain pelapis
- ↑ http://www.worldeventer.com/event/liga-kl-permata-2015-minggu-ke-8-arslan-fc-vs-wawasan-united,1656614201290629 Liga KL Permata 2015
- ↑ http://ligaipt.my/ipt/ Malaysia IPT Football League
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 http://pusatsukan.uitm.edu.my/muatturunborang/214.html Malaysia IPT Football League Rules
- ↑ https://www.perak.gov.my/index.php/lain-lain-artikel/463-suk-perak-johan-liga-pbi-1-september-2015 SUK Perak Johan Liga PBI
- ↑ http://www.bharian.com.my/node/71175 Perak tubuh PKNP FC, sasar Piala FAM, Liga Perdana
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.sports247.my/v1/2015/06/liga-bola-sepak-rakyat-lbr-to-revive-interest-at-district-level/
- ↑ http://www.lbr.my/
- ↑ https://www.pengurusanbolasepakfam.org.my/standing/presiden President's Cup Team Standings
- ↑ https://pengurusanbolasepakfam.org.my/kedudukan/kpialabelia2015 Malaysia Youth League
- ↑ http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00036849500000015 The demand for Semi-Pro League football in Malaysia 1989–91: a panel data approach
- ↑ http://www.lbr.my/posts/74 Amanat Tengku Abdullah
- ↑ http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2008&dt=1226&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_01.htm Pembunuh bola sepak negara
- ↑ http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/markus-lim/article/rasuah-dalam-bola-sepak-negara-di-mana-titik-penamatnya Rasuah dalam bola sepak negara: Di mana titik penamatnya?
