Kuala Lumpur: The Penang FC management team has voiced its concern over the decision by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to extend the club licensing documentation submissions for the 2024-2025 Club Licensing Cycle for the National Licence under the AFC CLAS system to May 10.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang FC stated in a statement that while it accepted the decision of the First Instance Body (FIB) Committee and appreciated the flexibility afforded to clubs facing challenges, it was worried about the negative implications should this become a norm. The management expressed concern that such flexibility could lead clubs facing financial constraints to delay immediate measures aimed at overcoming issues related to restructuring or problem-solving.

The statement highlighted the risk of financial constraints becoming more acute without the pressure of a strict deadline, potentially affecting the continuity of the club’s operations. It emphasized the potential negative impacts on players, officials, and stakeholders such as sponsors and supporters, who expect stability and accountability from club management.

Furthermore, the statement warned that frequent extensions could create a culture where compliance with regulations is deemed unimportant or compromised. This situation could lower domestic football industry standards and affect Malaysia’s reputation at regional and international levels, particularly concerning club licensing under the auspices of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The statement came in response to an announcement by FIB chairman Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif, who stated that the decision to extend the deadline was made following requests from several clubs seeking more time to complete their licensing documentation.