The football league that rewrote its own rules

Kuala Lumpur City played a match against Kuching City with only 10 players, despite the laws of football requiring at least seven players to start a match. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) had set stricter registration requirements for Super League clubs, demanding between 15-20 players, including at least two goalkeepers for each match. KL City failed to meet these requirements, resulting in their match being called off, with Kuching City winning 3-0 and receiving three points. Additionally, KL City was fined RM50,000.

The league granted KL City special approval to register a minimum of 12 players for the Kuching match, but only 11 made the squad: 10 starters and Fazrul Amir Md Zaman as the lone substitute. The licensing process raises questions about how MFL assessed KL City's financial health, considering the club's salary and other claims outstanding.

KL City agreed to a payment plan in June 2025 but failed to honor it, leading to outstanding payments being pursued through various channels. MFL reportedly sought a concrete settlement plan from the club multiple times in early 2026.

Conflicting statements from KLFA president and the club captain have also emerged, adding confusion to the situation. The influenza episode surrounding the match further complicates the issue, as it may have contributed to the club's inability to meet the registration requirements. The licensing system needs to address these financial and governance questions to maintain credibility and ensure fair enforcement of rules.