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Super League teams scramble for licences to get into Champions League

ADIRECT Champions League group stage berth awarded to Malaysia has prompted a scramble among Super League teams to secure an AFC licence.

With the exception of Pahang, all Super League teams have lodged applications with the FA of Malaysia (FAM) to obtain an AFC licence for 2019.

Pahang have been barred from competing in AFC tournaments for two years after rejecting an invitation from FAM to play in this year’s AFC Cup.

This year’s Super League champions will qualify directly for the 2019 AFC Champions League group stage which promises to make the league title battle a close one.

Terengganu coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim has already thrown down a challenge to four-time Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim while the likes of Kedah, Perak and PKNS also have serious title ambitions.

The other Super League teams will look to the FA Cup which offers the winners a berth in the AFC Champions League qualifying round.

Kuala Lumpur FA this week received a visit from FAM officials, headed by club licensing manager Andrew Soorian, to provide assistance in preparing the relevant documents for application of both FAM and AFC licences.

In a statement announcing the applications by Super League teams recently, FAM general secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin said all teams need to fulfill conditions in six areas of interest.

“All the teams have to pass the compliance assessment of the six main criteria which are sporting, infrastructure, personnel and administration, legal, finance and business as stated in the FAM Club Licensing Regulations Edition 2018 before they are granted an FAM licence and/or AFC licence,” said Hamidin.

KLFA general secretary Nokman Mustaffa said he is confident KL will be able to secure an AFC licence by fulfilling all the conditions.

“We have until July to get all the necessary documents ready, so there is plenty of time,” Nokman said.

“There are also staggered deadlines to submit certain documents. But what is most important is that we meet all six criteria listed, so that KL have a chance to qualify for the AFC competition.”

Given KL’s current standing at the bottom of the Super League table, Nokman admitted that the FA Cup offers KL the best route to the AFC Champions League.

“The FA Cup is our best chance of qualifying but we also need to make sure we maintain our place in the Super League,” Nokman said.