'M-League risks becoming a joke'

An experienced coach said the Malaysian Football League (MFL) should instead call off the Malaysia Cup and reinstate the original format for both leagues if the season restarts in September.

MFL have called off the FA Cup and the Challenge Cup, but the Malaysia Cup will go on as scheduled in October.

However, the Malaysia Cup will be turned into a knock-out tournament this year.

"It is a joke. Playing only half-season will see teams in the Super League and Premier League completing only 11 matches each.

"We have only 12 teams each in both league competitions, so it will look funny if the one-round format is implemented.

"If this happens, we cannot consider both competitions as leagues. It is not normal.

"If you want to have a one-round format, then the champions should be given only half of the prize money and trophy.

I am not trying to be sarcastic, but it is wrong to shorten the league competitions," he said.

MFL, however, are forced to make changes due to time constraint as they need to complete it before the AFF Cup in late November.

However, the plan to restart the season in September will depend on the Malaysian government's approval in June.

For the record, teams had completed four matches when the league was suspended on March 16.

Teams will play another seven matches each when the season restarts.

"I think it would be better to call off the Malaysia Cup. It would offer room for MFL to complete the Super League and Premier League under the old format."

Whether the one-round league format will see a close contest in the Super League and Premier League, he added: "It depends whether the favourites had played easier opening games.

"Some teams may have also played more home or away games, so I don't think the contest will be exciting at all. It will be a straight-forward competition for the favourites."