KUALA LUMPUR: Super League teams are only allowed to use five imports when meeting another squad from the same division in the Malaysia Cup, FA Cup and Charity Shield.
This decision was reached by the Malaysia Football League (MFL) on March 15.
Introduced four years ago, the competition rules allow only four imports for Super League teams but this season, they will be allowed to utilise their full arsenal of foreigners when competing against teams from the same division.
However, when facing teams of lower divisions, they will be allowed to use only four imports on the field with one on the bench.
For Premier League teams facing amateurs, they can register four foreigners while the M3 teams are allowed two imports only.
On top of the import rules, the MFL also introduced a rule whereby players’ registration can be extended for 30 days if their team’s registration is cancelled by MFL.
During competitions, the fairplay rule will no longer be utilised in the event of a draw whereby the winners will be determined by goal differences, number of goals and meetings.
If the teams are still tied after taking into consideration their head-to-head record, the MFL is to introduce a mechanism to determine the winners.
It was also decided that the two M3 teams to be promoted to the Premier League will be determined in a play-off.
The team in 11th place of the Premier League will play against the FAM Cup champions while the team in 12th will meet the winners of the M3 League.
If the FAM Cup and M3 League champions are the same team, then the slot will be filled by the M3 League runners-up.