KUALA LUMPUR: Perlis United (PUFC) seem to be inching ahead of their rivals for the only available place left in the 14-team Super League for the new season after claiming they can raise a total of RM25 million in sponsorship.
Perlis, who have been playing in the lower-tier M3 league, stated in their document to the MFL that they have four potential sponsors in Mudim Zakaria Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Ivory Properties Group Berhad, M.A Intelligent Holdings Sdn Bhd and Al Razi Holding (M) Sdn Bhd.
The total financial support from the four companies is said to total to RM25 million.
So far, Perlis have produced a RM5 million cheque from one of their sponsors as proof. There were also supporting letters from Perlis Chief Minister Shukri Ramli and Perlis FA.
However, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) said Perlis FC will need to fulfil four criteria by March 21 if they are to qualify for a Super League licence.
The criteria are financial, sustainability, affordability and ability to add value to the Super League.
Perlis must also prove that they have the infrastructure, staffing and administration to run their team.
MFL chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said today: "We will give them time to settle it and each (criterion) has its own deadline from today until March 21. They have that to comply to and there are criteria which need to be met quickly.
"This includes the contract between PUFC and sponsors and their Letter of Intent. This will take a couple of weeks."
Stuart said MFL opened up the application for the 14th place in the Super League to M3 League teams (Immigration FC, Harini FT and KL Rovers) last year and they had made the announcement on those clubs who had failed to fulfil the criteria.
Teams from the M3 League who wish to apply for a Super League licence are given a one-year transitional period because the MFL is aware that it is a giant leap for M3 teams to comply with the club licensing criteria that requires all Super League outfits to have reserve, Youth Cup and President's Cup squads.
However, Perlis, it is learnt, are not required to have all these squads, and instead will be given one year to "upgrade" themselves. Perlis currently have a Youth Cup team but not a President's Cup team.