The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed on Wednesday morning that LionsXII will no longer participate in all Malaysia domestic club competitions with effect from 2016 onwards.
FAM's Executive Committee (EXCO) met on Tuesday evening to discuss matters pertaining to Malaysian football, where a number of key decisions were made by the end of the meeting.
The first, was a unanimous vote by all EXCO members that agreed not to have the LionsXII continue playing in the Malaysia Super League (MSL), while Pahang were also dealt a huge setback with a six-point deduction which sees their AFC Cup spot for next season go to third-placed Selangor FA.
Berikut beberapa ketetapan dibuat pada mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Eksekutif FAM, malam tadi https://t.co/cBUCEkOcbj pic.twitter.com/NSZO3VSrib
- FA Malaysia (@FAM_Malaysia) November 24, 2015
LionsXII, a Singapore club under the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) was set up in 2011, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two neighbouring countries' football associations, which agreed to have the Harimau Muda play in the Singapore S.League, while LionsXII went the opposite direction to Malaysia. The four-year MOU was due to end in December.
The Singaporean outfit won the 2013 MSL title and more recently lifted the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup in April, but FAM's sudden decision leaves the officials and players in limbo, without any confirmation of the club's existence next season.
LionsXII's place in next season's MSL will go to either ATM FA or T-Team, which will be decided by a playoff next month..
As for Harimau Muda -- the U23 national side -- they will not compete in the S.League next season, with a new team created, with the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in mind.
Pahang's six-point deduction resulted from their failure to heed FIFA's orders to compensate foreign signing Mohamed Borji -- who received late salary payments during his time at the club in 2013.
The FAS have yet to make a statement regarding the announcement which will increase speculation of LionsXII's participation in the proposed ASEAN Super League, due to start next August.