The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has officially confirmed that foreign referees will officiate the 2025/26 Malaysia Cup Final, set to take place at TM National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on May 23.
MFL President Ab Ghani Hassan revealed that an official request had been submitted to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to appoint top-level international match officials for the prestigious 99th edition of the competition.
According to Ab Ghani, the request includes four foreign referees comprising one main referee, two assistant referees and one VAR (Video Assistant Referee) official.
“The MFL has formally requested FAM to appoint four foreign referees, including two assistant referees and one VAR referee. The decision to use international referees was made to ensure officiating quality remains at the highest level while safeguarding the integrity and smooth flow of the Malaysia Cup Final,” he said.
“With the Malaysia Cup Final being a high-profile match, world-class officiating standards will undoubtedly elevate the experience for players, team officials and supporters alike.”
He also stressed that the move could provide valuable exposure for local referees through knowledge-sharing opportunities with experienced international officials.
“The presence of foreign referees can also serve as an exchange of expertise, allowing local referees to gain valuable insights as we continue developing the quality of officiating in Malaysia,” he added.
Ab Ghani further explained that the decision followed discussions raised during the MFL League Partners Meeting held on April 29, where the use of foreign referees was among the proposals discussed for improving domestic competitions.
“MFL always listens to suggestions from our stakeholders regarding improvements in all aspects of match organisation. However, the use of foreign referees requires careful consideration due to the significant costs involved,” he explained.
The MFL president also noted that the move is not unprecedented in Malaysian football, recalling how Japanese referees were appointed for the 2019 FA Cup Final between Kedah Darul Aman FC and Perak FC.
This season’s Malaysia Cup Final promises to be one of the most anticipated domestic fixtures in recent years, with defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim set to face Kuching City FC, who have reached the final for the first time in club history.
Credit Photo : MFL
