jeng..jeng..jeng... lawan club maldives pon huru-hara..tetiba nak main champions league......
Joining Asia’s big stage By Ajitpal Singh | ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
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PLUM: Privatisation of local league will see one team taking part in Asia’s Champions League
MALAYSIA will be granted a spot in the AFC Champions League, regarded as Asia’s most prestigious club competition, in 2015 or 2016. This is in line with the privatisation of the M-League next year.
FAM M-League privatisation chairman Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah said the local league will go private next year and the national body will apply to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for a spot in the Champions League.
“We would like to see a Malaysian team competing in the Champions League for the first time next year.
“We will apply to AFC once we have formed an independent body, comprising FAM officials, State FA representatives and sponsors, to handle the M-League after the Congress-cum-elections on May 25,” said Afandi yesterday.
The idea to outsource the league was first mooted by FAM's former deputy president Tan Sri Anuar Musa to allow Malaysian teams to play in the prestigious Champions League.
FAM had first tried to do it a year after the establishment of MSL Sdn Bhd in January, 2005.
Although the proposal was endorsed by the then executive committee, it failed to receive much support from those in the football fraternity.
It is also learnt that FAM will get only a 30 per cent stake when the league is fully corporatised.
Several state FAs have started setting up subsidiaries to convert their teams into football clubs.
Under the format, the teams cannot come under the purview of state FAs and must be 100 per cent financially independent.
However, they must retain their state identity.
Teams must also have their own venues, training grounds and sponsors, along with a minimum attendance of 5,000 for each match to qualify for the Champions League.
“Although the league will go private next year, AFC has agreed to give us two years to comply to all regulations, including the conversion of state teams to football clubs.
“Most teams have started the process to become football clubs. Among them are Perak, Kelantan and Kuala Lumpur.
“As for now, we are on the right track towards privatisation,” Afandi added.
However, the efforts to privatise the league could backfire as some teams currently competing in the Super League and the Premier League want additional funds from FAM.
At present, each Super League team receive RM350,000 while those in the second-tier competition are given RM250,000.
FAM general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the allocation will increase corresponding to an impending agreement with new sponsors and the league’s privatisation.
“All teams can expect a new package next season. We are in discussion with potential sponsors and one of the key elements being stressed is the increase of grants,” said Hamidin.
Meanwhile, a non-M-League team will be formed to play in the Asean Super League (ASL), which will kick off next year or in 2016.
“The Asean Football Federation (AFF) has briefed its affiliates about the league.
A seminar will be held in July. We, however, have decided to field a non-league team in the competition,” said Hamidin.
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