The Malaysia M4 League are a state level football league competition in Malaysia. Malaysia consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea, with eleven states and two federal territories (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya) in Peninsular Malaysia, and two states and one federal territory (Labuan) in East Malaysia (Borneo). Each of the states has its own set of football league, and some may have multiple divisions with promotion and relegation rules among them.[1] All leagues in all states run in parallel.
| Founded | 1909 |
|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Divisions | DD Social League Puchong Community League Shah Alam League Subang Football League Sunarize Soccer League Klang Valley League M5 PBKL Division 1 League South Selangor League Selangor Social Premier League Terengganu Amateur League Sultan Pahang League Melaka Division 1 Johor Darul Ta’zim League PBNS President Cup League |
| Number of clubs | 232 |
| Level on pyramid | 4 |
| Promotion to | Malaysia M3 League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Malaysia FA Cup Malaysia FAM Cup |
| International cup(s) | AFC Cup (via domestic cups) |
| Current: 2018 Malaysia M4 League | |
The leagues has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between league divisions at different levels, allowing even the smallest club the hypothetical possibility of ultimately rising to the very top of the system. The exact number of clubs varies from year to year as clubs join and leave leagues or fold altogether, but an estimated average of 10 clubs per division implies that hundreds of teams are members of a league in the Malaysian men's football league system.
Although the state leagues are at the top in the state level hierarchy in Malaysian football competition, they are 8 state football association not officially directly under the national leagues competition as the club which won the top level of state leagues don't be promoted to the next level. Starting from 2019, the champion from 5 FA State League and 10 Social League teams are promoted to newly established third-tier league called Malaysia M3 League.
History
Football arrived in Malaysia (Malaya at that time) with the British. The locals soon picked up the game, and before long it was the country's leading sport. Towards the end of the 19th century, football was one of the central pillars of most sports clubs in Malaya. However, it was not structured. Even when the Selangor Amateur Football League took shape in 1905 – which ensured proper administration and organisation – the competition was confined only to clubs in Kuala Lumpur.
The earliest recorded state football league took place in Penang, where YMCA won the league in 1909.[2] The other earliest recorded winners for state football leagues were Johor in 1922 (P.W.D.A.A.), Malacca in 1929 (Malacca Chinese FA), Negeri Sembilan in 1929 (Nilai Club), Perak in 1932 (Perak Chinese RC) and Selangor in 1935 (Rangers).[2] Alongside the leagues, cup competitions also take place.[2]
By 1933 the football of Malaysia was founded as Football Association of Malaya (FAM), which managed the local football scene at that time.[3] By 1954, FAM joined FIFA as a member in the AFC.
Overview
The states football league system consists of a pyramid of leagues, bound together by the principle of promotion and relegation. A certain number of the most successful clubs in each league can rise to a higher league, whilst those that finish at the bottom of their league can find themselves sinking down a level. In addition to sporting performance, promotion is usually contingent on meeting criteria set by the higher league, especially concerning appropriate facilities and finances.
In theory it is possible for a lowly local amateur club to rise to the pinnacle of the Malaysian game and become champions of the Liga Super. As the main leagues in Malaysia consist of three tiers, it is possible for a new team to become a champions in just three years if they perform well within the pyramid.
The top three levels contain one division each and are nationwide in scope. Below this, the levels have progressively more parallel leagues, which each cover progressively smaller geographic areas. Many leagues have more than one division. At the lower levels the existence of leagues becomes intermittent. There are also leagues in various parts of the country which are not officially part of the system as they do not have formal agreements with the football associations and run by independent organizers with mostly was held in forms of carnival style where the leagues duration is just couple of days of months. Clubs from state leagues may, if they feel they meet the appropriate standard of play and have suitable facilities, apply to join a league which does form part of the system.
State level competition
A state level competition were competed in 13 different states and three federal territories in Malaysia.[4][2][5][6][7][8][9] While some states have an active league with a multiple divisions, some others might be in dormant or might only have a short duration cup competition in place.[5] The reason for a lack of proper league system in some states and federal territories were because lack of proper management, marketing and funding from the football association in charged.
District level competition
A district level competition were competed among clubs in the district located in each of states in Malaysia.[8][10][11] It is runs by the district football association. Only certain district currently has known and active league or cup competition in place.
Promotion and relegation rules for the top four levels
- Liga Super (level 1, 12 teams): The bottom two teams are relegated.
- Liga Premier (level 2, 12 teams): The top two automatically promoted. The bottom two are relegated.
- Liga M3 (level 3, 15 teams): The top two teams are automatically promoted. Sometimes, teams might withdraw for financial reason and might be given permission to play in States League.
- Malaysia M4 League (level 4, unlimited clubs):
League system
The table below shows the current structure of the system. For each division, its official name, sponsorship name (which differs from its historic name) and number of clubs is given. At levels 1–3, each division promotes to the division(s) that lie directly above it and relegates to the division(s) that lie directly below it. Below that level, individual league articles detail promotion and relegation arrangements.
Unlike most of countries that plays football as a main game, the league system in Malaysia still consist of representative from state association, clubs from company, ministry or government agency.
The Malaysia M4 League are combination of state FA leagues, social league and community league in Malaysia. They are administered and operated by the states football association and independent operator. The level immediately above is the Malaysia M3 League. The divisions include are:
| States & Federal Territories | Operated by | Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Perlis
|
Perlis FA | — | |||
 Kedah
|
Kedah FA | — | |||
.svg){kind=small} Penang
|
Penang FA | — | |||
 Perak
|
Perak FA | — | |||
 Selangor
|
Selangor FA | — | |||
| Munro Sports | Shah Alam League | — | |||
| Subang Football League | — | ||||
| Sunarize Soccer League | Sunarize Soccer League Div. Two | — | |||
| Klang Valley League | — | ||||
| South Selangor League | — | ||||
| Selangor Social Premier League | — | ||||
| PBMM FA | Shah Sport League | — | |||
 Federal Territories
|
Kuala Lumpur FA | KL Super League | KL League Division One | KL League Division Two | |
| Putrajaya | — | ||||
| Labuan | — | ||||
| DD Sport & Referee | DD Social League | — | |||
| Liga Komuniti Puchong | — | ||||
 Negeri Sembilan
|
Negeri Sembilan FA | PBNS President Cup League | — | ||
 Melaka
|
Melaka FA | Melaka League Division One | Melaka League Division Two | Melaka League Division Three | |
 Johor
|
Johor FA | Johor Darul Ta’zim League | — | ||
 Pahang
|
Pahang FA | Sultan Pahang League | — | ||
 Terengganu
|
Terengganu FA | — | |||
| TAL Super League (D1) | TAL Premier League (D2) | — | |||
 Kelantan
|
Kelantan FA | — | |||
 Sabah
|
Sabah FA | — | |||
 Sarawak
|
FA Sarawak | — | |||
See also
References
- ^ "Liga M musim baru mula November" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Malaysia - List of Regional Champions and Cup Winners". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Association Information [Football Association of Malaysia]". FIFA. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Juara KL tapi tak dapat masuk liga FAM" (in Malay). Malaysiakini. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ a b "14 Daerah Berentap Rebut Piala Presiden PAFA 2016" (in Malay). Perak Today. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Liga Perak Amanjaya 2015 : Platform Cungkil Bakat Tempatan" (in Malay). Perak Today. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ Y.P. Sivam (24 November 2015). "Kota Raja left out of the league". The Star. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ a b Mohd Zulkifli Zainuddin (10 January 2016). "Piala Datuk Sri Vida mampu cari pemain pelapis" (in Malay). Berita Harian. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ Mahirah Zakaria (16 December 2016). "JMM FC kesal tindakan tak profesional KLFA" (in Malay). Agenda Daily. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "SUK Perak Johan Liga PBI" (in Malay). Perak State Government. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Perak tubuh PKNP FC, sasar Piala FAM, Liga Perdana". Bernama (in Malay). Berita Harian. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2018.