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 hundreds of teams are members of a league in the Malaysian men's football league system.
History
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 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 Liga Super. 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 are run by independent organizers. These are mostly held in forms of carnival style, where the league's duration is just a 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 Liga Super and Liga Premier. All clubs in these two leagues are fully professional.[9][10][11][12]
The third levels of the Malaysian football league system are operated by the Football Association of Malaysia, which consists of the Liga FAM. All clubs in Liga FAM are semi-professional.
The fourth levels of the Malaysian football league system consist of leagues that run in parallel. The leagues which are managed by FAM are the Liga Bolasepak Rakyat and Liga Bola Sepak IPT. All clubs in Liga Bolasepak Rakyat and Liga Bola Sepak IPT 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 run 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 has multiple divisions within it.
There are other levels after this, which the leagues run within their regional, city, district or sub-district area. They are lesser known, and most of the teams are amateur levels which may join the upper-tier level if they want to go further with their team.
National level competition
In the national pyramid, there are three leagues, the Liga Super, Liga Premier and the Liga FAM. Liga Super and Liga Premier currently consist of 12 teams each. Liga FAM currently consist 18 teams each in two groups. Each year, two worst placed clubs in the Liga Super and Liga Premier are relegated to lower-tier league while two top placed clubs in the Liga Premier and Liga FAM are promoted to higher-tier league. While currently there are no relegation rules for the Liga FAM, some clubs which may pulled or failed to register to continue the next season league may pulled from the league and play in the state league for various reason such as financial problem.
The clubs competing in the Liga FAM are the best or top placed clubs promoted from the state league when FAM offers an additional place when necessary. Clubs that are successful in their state leagues can rise higher in the pyramid, being promoted to the Liga FAM, and eventually to higher levels.
A club which received a promotion to Liga FAM may came from multiple different leagues such as Liga Bolasepak Rakyat, state league and Liga Bola Sepak IPT which all were managed by a different management which has been sanctioned by FAM.[13] [14]
State level competition
A state level competition were competed in 13 different states and three federal territories in Malaysia.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21] While some states have an active league with a multiple divisions, some others might be in dormant or might only have a short duration cup competition in place.[15] The reason for a lack of proper league system in some states and federal territories were because lack of proper management, marketing and funding from the football association in charged.
District level competition
A district level competition were competed among clubs in the district located in each of states in Malaysia.[22][23][19] It is runs by the district football association. Only certain district currently has known and active league or cup competition in place.
Promotion and relegation rules for the top four levels
- Liga Super (level 1, 12 teams): The bottom two teams are relegated.
- Liga Premier (level 2, 12 teams): The top two automatically promoted. The bottom two are relegated.
- Liga FAM (level 3, 18 teams): The 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.
- Malaysian States League (level 4, various teams each, running in parallel): The champions in each division might get promoted to the Liga FAM if they want to play at the national level as long as they fulfil the requirements 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.
- Piala Malaysia: Levels 1 to 2
- Piala FA: Levels 1 to 3
- Piala Sumbangsih is a single match played each January between the Piala Malaysia winners and the Liga Super 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.
Levels one and two in the pyramid, the top two division of Malaysian football, are run by the Football Malaysia LLP, and the winners of the top division are regarded as the champions of Malaysia. Level three is run by FAM. Level four consists of multiple leagues run in parallel for each of the states/federal territories championship and managed by their respective states football associations. The Liga Bolasepak Rakyat and Liga Bola Sepak IPT are an independent football league outside of the national, states or districts football pyramid which are managed with collaboration of FAM.
National level championship
|
Level |
Leagues/divisions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Liga Super 12 clubs | ||
| II | Liga Premier 12 clubs | ||
| III | Liga FAM 18 clubs | ||
State level championship
|
Level |
Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| IV (National) I (State) |
State League Division 1 |
| V (National) II (State) |
State League Division 2 |
| VI (National) III (State) |
State League Division 3 |
District level championship
|
Level |
Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| VII (National) I (District) |
State District League Division 1 |
| VIII (National) II (District) |
State District League Division 2 |
Unlike most countries that play football as a main game, the league system in Malaysia still consists of representatives from state associations, clubs from companies, ministry or government agency.
Liga Super
The Liga Super (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 Liga Premier. 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.[24]
Liga Premier
The Liga Premier is the second-tier football league in Malaysia. Liga Premier is contested by 12 clubs. Seasons run from February to October. The season starts in early February and lasts until late October, with a Ramadan break for a month. Teams play 22 matches each (playing each team in the league twice, home and away), totalling 132 matches in the season. Most games are played on Fridays, with a few games played during weekdays.
Liga FAM
The Liga FAM (currently known as Piala FAM) is the third-tier football league in Malaysia. The tournament used to be a cup format, but it changed in 2008 as it was held as a league tournament and changing to its current name. Piala FAM 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.
Liga Bolasepak Rakyat
The Liga Bolasepak Rakyat is an independently organised football competition separated from the national-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 the grassroots level and eventually provide an alternative route for footballers under the age of 28 to make the grade.[25] Currently there are a total of 111 teams out of more than 150 possible districts in the country. The teams were divided into eight zones.[26]
Developmental league
Piala Presiden
The Piala Presiden is the amateur football competition in Malaysia for under-21 players. Since its inception in 1985, the Piala Presiden 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.[27]
Piala Belia
The Piala Belia is the amateur football competition in Malaysia for under-19 players. Since its inception in 2008, the Piala Belia has been the major tournament for under-19 players. In 2009 to 2011, the competition was combined with the Piala Presiden. In 2015 the format of the competition changed to the league format.[28]
Former system
Before the current known system, the Malaysian football league system underwent multiple iteration changes since its introduction in 1979 and officially as the country's men's football league competition in 1982 with the introduction of league trophy for the winners.
Amateur league system (1982-1988)
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 Piala Malaysia. It was not until 1982 that a league trophy 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.
Below is the Malaysian amateur football league system in from 1982 to 1988.
| Level | Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Liga Malaysia |
| II | 14 States League |
Semi-Pro league system (1989-1993)
In early days, the Malaysian football league system consisted of an amateur league before the changes in 1989, when it was known as the Liga Semi-Pro (MSPFL) from 1989 to 1993.[29]
Initially the only teams 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 1 and eight teams in Division 2. The Malaysian Police joined Division 2 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 playoff was staged between the eighth placed team in Division 1 and the third placed team in Division 2. The top six teams in Division 1 and top two in Division 2 also proceeded to the quarter-finals of the Piala Malaysia.
In 1992, FAM created another amateur league for local clubs in Malaysia to compete, which is called the Liga Nasional[30] The league was managed by FAM outside entity, Super Club Sdn. Bhd. Some of the clubs which 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 ran for a couple of seasons before it folded. Some of the clubs were then evolved and joined the main league, such as PKENJ, which became JCorp and now as JDT.
In 1989 to 1993, the Liga Semi-Pro was divided into two levels:
- First Division: Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1
- Second Division: Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2
| Level | Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 1 |
| II | Liga Semi-Pro Divisyen 2 |
| III | 14 States League |
Professional football league system (1994-1997)
Between 1994 and 1997, there was no second level league as the top two leagues were combined. 1994 was when Malaysian football league turned professional. The MSPFL essentially became the Liga Perdana, a National League was added, and a second cup competition, Piala FA, joined the existing Piala Malaysia.
With the formation of professional football league in 1994, Piala FAM was held again as yearly competition after being absent from 1986 to 1990 and 1992 to 1993.[31][32]
The newly formed professional football league was almost in peril when a bribing and corruption scandal was discovered between 1994 and 1995. 21 players and coaches was sacked, 58 players were suspended and 126 players were questioned over corruption by Malaysian authorities.[33][34]
- First Division: Liga Perdana
| Level | Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Liga Perdana (1994–97) |
| II | 14 States League |
In 1997, promotion from Piala FAM to the professional M-League was introduced for the first time. Johor FC and NS Chempaka FC were the first two sides to be promoted that year.[35]
Malaysian league system (1998-2003)
In 1998 to 2003, the football league in Malaysia was divided again into two levels:
- First Division: Liga Perdana 1
- Second Division: Liga Perdana 2
Below is the Malaysian football league system from 1998 to 2003.
| Level | Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Liga Perdana 1 (LP1) |
| II | Liga Perdana 2 (LP2) |
| III | 14 States League |
In recent years, top Malaysian club teams have also been admitted to the league competition. The restriction for state FA's team from being relegated was lifted in order to promote a healthy competition in the league.
2004 system revamp
The league was revamped 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.
In 2005, Piala FAM became a third-tier competition and the format of the competition was changed to include a two-group league followed by the traditional knockout format.[36]
Between 2004 and 2006, the professional football league in Malaysia was divided into two levels and two groups:
- First Division: Liga Super
- Second Division: Liga Premier Group A
- Second Division: Liga Premier Group B
Below is the Malaysian football league system revamp in 2004.
|
Level |
Leagues/divisions | |
|---|---|---|
| I | Liga Super (MSL) 8 clubs | |
| II | Liga Premier Group A (MPL Group A) 8 clubs |
Liga Premier Group B (MPL Group B) 8 clubs |
| III | Piala FAM (from 2005) | |
| IV | 14 States League | |
At the end of the season, the top team from each group of the Liga Premier was promoted to the Liga Super. The teams which finished at the bottom of each group were relegated to the Liga FAM. The two group champions also faced off to determine the Liga Premier Championship.
2007 system
From 2007 until now, the professional football league in Malaysia was only divided into two levels when Liga Premier was combined into one level:
- First Division: Liga Super
- Second Division: Liga Premier
Below is the Malaysian football league system in 2007.
| Level | Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Liga Super (MSL) 11 clubs |
| II | Liga Premier (MPL) 11 clubs |
| III | Liga FAM |
| IV | 14 States League |
For the 2006-07 season, the Liga Premier was reorganised into a single league of 11 teams instead of being a competition involving two separate groups of teams.
2009 system
In 2008, FAM has changed the Piala FAM to the league format which served as a third-tier league in the Malaysian football league system and become as Liga FAM starting from 2009 season.[37] [38]
- First Division: Liga Super
- Second Division: Liga Premier
- Third Division: Liga FAM
Below is the Malaysian football league system in 2009.
| Level | Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Liga Super (MSL) 11 clubs |
| II | Liga Premier (MPL) 11 clubs |
| III | Liga FAM |
| IV | 14 States Leagues |
2013 system
Below is the Malaysian football league system in 2013.
| Level | Leagues/divisions |
|---|---|
| I | Liga Super (MSL) 12 clubs |
| II | Liga Premier (MPL) 12 clubs |
| III | Liga FAM 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
- ↑ "John Duerden: Malaysia – A new hope – ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ↑ "Soccer – Malaysia hopes to relive football glory days by training 10,000 teenagers". Theedgemalaysia.com. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ↑ "The biggest change in Malaysian football". Goal.com. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ↑ "Football development: A tough job – BorneoPost Online | Borneo, Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News | Largest English Daily In Borneo". Theborneopost.com. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ↑ Arulampalam, Jeeva (21 October 2009). "Malaysian soccer clubs need right structures to attract funding". Btimes.com.my. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ↑ "A much-needed intervention for the good of Malaysian football". The Malaysian Insider. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ↑ "Future of our football – The Gaffer | The Star Online". Thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ↑ http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=MAS/about.html About FAM in FIFA Website
- ↑ http://footballmalaysia.com/portal/index.php/about-football-malaysia/ About Football Malaysia
- ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3896/malaysia/2015/05/07/11492462/malaysian-football-going-for-the-german-way Malaysian football going for the German way
- ↑ http://www.espnfc.com/blog/football-asia/153/post/2919866/packed-malaysian-fixtures-will-help-build-stronger-national-team-fmllp Packed Malaysian fixtures will help build stronger national team - FMLLP
- ↑ http://www.foxsportsasia.com/news/malaysia-football-embrace-professionalism/ Malaysian football needs to embrace professionalism
- ↑ http://ligaipt.my/ipt/ Liga Bola Sepak IPT
- ↑ http://pusatsukan.uitm.edu.my/muatturunborang/214.html Liga Bola Sepak IPT Rules
- 1 2 3 http://peraktoday.com.my/2016/08/14-daerah-berentap-rebut-piala-presiden-pafa-2016/ 14 Daerah Berentap Rebut Piala Presiden PAFA 2016
- 1 2 http://peraktoday.com.my/2015/09/liga-perak-amanjaya-2015-platform-cungkil-bakat-tempatan/ Liga Perak Amanjaya 2015 : Platform Cungkil Bakat Tempatan
- 1 2 http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malayregchamp.html Malaysia - List of Regional Champions and Cup Winners
- 1 2 3 4 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
- 1 2 3 4 http://www.bharian.com.my/node/112807 Piala Datuk Sri Vida mampu cari pemain pelapis
- 1 2 https://www.malaysiakini.com/sukan/366339 Juara KL tapi tak dapat masuk liga FAM
- 1 2 http://www.agendadaily.com/Sukan/jmm-fc-kesal-tindakan-tak-profesional-klfa.html JMM FC kesal tindakan tak profesional KLFA
- 1 2 https://www.perak.gov.my/index.php/lain-lain-artikel/463-suk-perak-johan-liga-pbi-1-september-2015 SUK Perak Johan Liga PBI
- 1 2 http://www.bharian.com.my/node/71175 Perak tubuh PKNP FC, sasar Piala FAM, Liga Perdana
- ↑ Kin, Ooi (4 October 2013). "The biggest change in Malaysian football – Yahoo Sports Singapore". Sg.sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ↑ 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 Piala Presiden Team Standings
- ↑ https://pengurusanbolasepakfam.org.my/kedudukan/kpialabelia2015 Piala Belia
- ↑ 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.rsssf.com/tablesm/malaycuphist.html Malaysia Championship History
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay94.html Malaysia 1994
- ↑ 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%5B%5D Rasuah dalam bola sepak negara: Di mana titik penamatnya?
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-29. Retrieved 2016-03-29. Malaysia 1997
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay05.html Malaysia 2005
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2008.html Malaysia 2008
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2009.html Malaysia 2009
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