The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has announced that the 2 matches of the Liga Premier Malaysia 2022 first week had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The matter was confirmed by MFL Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Ramalingam who said the two matches involved Selangor FC 2 VS FAM-MSN at UiTM Stadium, Shah Alam on 5 March, 2022 and PDRM FC VS Kuching City FC at KLFA Stadium, Cheras on 7 March, 2022.
Stuart explained that the MFL secretariat had received an application from PDRM FC where one coach and 14 of their players were found to be positive and close contact while the two coaches and all the players of the FAM-MSN Project Squad also suffered the same fate.
“We are sorry to inform that the match involving Selangor FC 2 against FAM-MSN Project Squad and PDRM FC against Kuching City FC had to be postponed when more than half of the players and officials from the team in question had a positive infection and close contact with COVID-19.” MFL Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Ramalingam said.
“I would also like to inform that we have amended the COVID-19 Deferred Match Rules. Perhaps before this, most parties still see the old rule in the TM Malaysia Cup 2021 campaign that the team will be considered a loser if any player is found to be positive for COVID-19.”
“At that time, the TM Malaysia Cup 2021 schedule was at war with time and in addition, the existence of booster doses no longer happened but with the booster dose and complete vaccination, the amendment to the Deferred Match Rules is now in accordance with the SOP issued by the government.”
“Therefore, the latest MFL SOP is that clubs are only eligible to apply for a match postponement if 50 percent or more of the total main squad registrations for officers and players eligible to be registered on the day of the match are infected with COVID-19 or symptomatic close contact. For this deferment application, the club must submit documents such as proof of test results and MySejahtera status as well as a confirmation letter from the team doctor.”
“However, if the prolonged postponement of the match affects the schedule of league matches and the MFL competition calendar as a whole, then any decision and action is subject to the MFL Board of Directors,”
Meanwhile, Stuart informed that the new date amendment for the two matches will be announced in the near future.
Credit Photo : MFL
