The First Instance Body (FIB), an independent regulatory organ of the Malaysian Football League (MFL), has officially released its decisions for the 2025–2026 AFC and National Club Licensing cycle.

The comprehensive evaluations determine which top-flight Super League and Liga AFL A1 clubs are legally permitted to compete in the upcoming 2026–2027 domestic and continental seasons.

The high-stakes meeting, held on May 25, 2026, was chaired by acting chairman Encik Hussaini Hussin, standing in for Tuan Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif, who is currently away performing the Hajj pilgrimage.

Seven Clubs Achieve Perfect ‘Clean Bills of Health’

A total of seven elite Super League clubs successfully passed the grueling financial and administrative review without any caveats. Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, Kuching City FC, Selangor FC, Terengganu FC, Negeri Sembilan FC, Penang FC, and Sabah FC were all granted both their absolute AFC Licenses and National Licenses.

The screening process required all clubs to demonstrate total compliance across six critical core pillars: sporting, infrastructure, personnel and administration, legal, financial, and business development. The critical baseline cutoff date for declaring all outstanding financial arrears was strictly fixed as December 31, 2025.

Severe Fines and Financial Ultimatums Issued

The news was far more sobering for four other professional outfits. Imigresen FC, Melaka FC, Kuala Lumpur City FC, and PDRM FC were denied full clearance and were instead granted a restricted National License accompanied by formal disciplinary “sanctions” under Article 8.2 due to a failure to meet Grade A and B criteria.

Furthermore, the FIB handed down an aggressive financial penalty to Kuala Lumpur City and PDRM FC, slapping both clubs with a heavy fine of RM45,000 under Licensing Article 8(f).

The penalized quartet faces a race against time, as they are mandated to submit supplementary financial and infrastructural data to clear up lingering discrepancies.

“The four clubs are required to submit additional financial information to meet the requirements of the Financial Criteria and Infrastructure Criteria no later than July 15, 2026,” the FIB statement outlined. “Failure to do so will result in the matter being referred back to the FIB for further action.”

Kelantan TRW Blocked, Amateur Clubs Granted Special Passage

In a separate development, the regulatory body verified that Kelantan The Real Warriors FC completely failed to obtain a National License, meaning their documentation fell entirely short of the legal framework required by the MFL.

Conversely, fortune favored four lower-tier amateur clubs from the Liga AFL A1. Kelantan Red Warrior FC, UM Damansara United FC, Armed Forces FC, and Bunga Raya FC all successfully acquired an “Extraordinary National License” by utilizing the provisions outlined under Article 15.

The governing body concluded by reassuring fans and stakeholders that it will continue stringently auditing all provisional license holders to protect the integrity, professional standards, and financial viability of the Malaysian football pyramid.