Latest news with #SuperLeague
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lightning have 'set the benchmark' - Wallace-Joseph
Loughborough Lightning's Sammy Wallace-Joseph believes the defending champions have "set the benchmark" for opposition sides this season. Lightning could become the first team to win three netball Super League titles in a row. They face London Pulse in the semi-final on Friday at Copper Box Arena in London (20:00 BST). The Leicestershire side have suffered two defeats in their past five games, including a defeat against local rivals Nottingham Forest who completed the double over the defending champions this season. "It's tough having teams gunning for you. They will play their best netball against you but credit to us because we have clearly set the benchmark," the goal-shooter told BBC Radio Leicester. Lightning are the only team to beat London Pulse at the Copper Box Arena this Wallace-Joseph believes Pulse are the team to beat this year. "It will be tough so I will be jumping for joy once we make the final and win it," she added."Pulse have definitely been the side to beat and we have shown we can do it."The London side earned themselves a home semi-final tie after finishing top of the regular season table, five points clear of Lightning who finished in second place.
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Barnama
13 Teams Joining M-League 2025-2026, Sri Pahang Stay Out
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- Sri Pahang FC have confirmed that they will not participate in the Malaysia League (M-League) this season despite being granted a National License by the First Instance Body (FIB). The Malaysian Football League (MFL) announced in a statement that the 'Elephants' squad, which received the 2025/26 national license, has decided not to compete in the M-League by submitting a confirmation letter dated June 16. The decision will see 13 teams participating in the new season which will begin on August 8. bootstrap slideshow "All clubs have been granted the 2025-2026 National License by the independent First Instance Body (FIB) with the club from Brunei, DPMM FC, being granted approval from the International Football Association Board (FIFA) and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) to compete in the 2025-2026 Malaysia League. "However, Sri Pahang FC, which also received the 2025-2026 National License, have decided not to compete in the Malaysia League this season by submitting a confirmation letter dated 16 June 2025," said MFL in a statement issued on its Facebook page today. According to MFL, the clubs competing in the championship this time are Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT), Selangor FC, Penang FC, Kuching City FC, Sabah FC, Terengganu FC, Negeri Sembilan FC, Kelantan Darul Naim FC, Kuala Lumpur City FC, PDRM FC and DPMM FC and two clubs from AFL A1, namely Melaka FC and Imigresen FC. Commenting further, MFL announced that this season's Malaysian League calendar will begin with a clash between JDT, the Super League champion and Selangor, the Super League runners-up in the Charity Shield match on August 8, 2025, which is also the league's opening match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Johor. Meanwhile, the FA Cup tournament will begin in mid-August, the Malaysia Cup and MFL Challenge Cup in January 2026. MFL also announced that this season's Malaysian League calendar will run for 10 months, after last season's adjustment which lasted 14 months to align the schedule with international leagues.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sri Pahang's M-League withdrawal a 'reset,' says club legend
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Jamal Nasir believes Sri Pahang 's withdrawal from the 2025-26 M-League should not be viewed as a failure but as a reset. The football legend, who starred for the Elephants in the 1970s, said the club must have had valid reasons to pull out of next season's competition and hopes it will allow them to regroup for a stronger return. While he admits the decision is deeply saddening, Jamal urged fans to remain calm and understanding. "It's heartbreaking, of course. This club once stood among the best in the Super League and even made it to the Malaysia Cup final. Now they're stepping away, and it's not easy to accept," he said. "I'm sad too, but what can we do? I'm sure there are unavoidable reasons behind this. Even though they obtained their national licence, perhaps there are internal issues that need to be resolved first." The Malaysian Football League (MFL) confirmed on Friday that Sri Pahang had submitted their withdrawal letter on June 16. The team's absence is a major blow to Malaysian football, considering their rich legacy in domestic competitions. The Elephants have won multiple titles throughout the years, including the Super League, Malaysia Cup and FA Cup. Their most recent silverware was the FA Cup in 2018, when they beat Selangor 2-0 in the final. Jamal highlighted the team's past financial struggles, including unpaid salaries, and urged fans not to point fingers. "Don't blame anyone. The management must've thought this through carefully. "Maybe taking one step back is necessary, so they can come back stronger later. I'm staying positive. This decision could be the beginning of something better for the club." Sri Pahang finished eighth in the 2024-25 Super League and were runners-up in the Malaysia Cup, making their sudden withdrawal all the more shocking. With their exit, only 13 clubs remain for the 2025-26 season — Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan Darul Naim, KL City, Police, DPMM, Melaka and Immigration.
The Star
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Blow to MFL as giants Pahang withdraw from Super League
Pahang's last action on the field was at the Malaysia Cup final in April this year. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Pahang have finally put an end to the uncertainty over their future in the Malaysian League after confirming their withdrawal from next season's campaign. Speculation had been rife since late March over the fate of the 2004 Super League champions, although hopes were briefly lifted when they secured a national licence from the independent First Instance Body (FIB). However, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) have now confirmed that the club submitted an official letter dated June 16 to inform the governing body of their decision to opt out of all competitions for the 2025-2026 season. Pahang's exit means only 13 teams will feature in the top-tier domestic league, which kicks off on Aug 8. 'Clubs competing for honours this season include Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Police and Brunei, along with AFL A1 representatives Melaka and Imigration. 'All 13 teams have been granted the National Licence for the 2025–2026 cycle by the FIB, while Brunei received special approval from the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to rejoin the Malaysian League this season," said MFL in a statement.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sri Pahang drop bombshell with late M-League withdrawal
KUALA LUMPUR: Sri Pahang have officially withdrawn from the 2025-26 M-League season despite being granted a national licence to compete. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) confirmed on Friday that the club submitted a formal letter dated June 16, stating their decision not to participate in the new campaign, which kicks off on Aug 8. It marks a sombre moment for Malaysian football, as Sri Pahang have a rich history, winning several domestic titles, including the Super League, Malaysia Cup and FA Cup throughout the years. Their exit leaves 13 teams in the top flight this year, among them Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan Darul Naim, KL City, Police and Brunei's DPMM. Melaka and Immigration, promoted from the AFL A1 semi-pro league, complete the lineup. All 13 clubs have secured the 2025-26 national licence from the First Instance Body (FIB), while DPMM's participation has been cleared by both the Asian Football Confederation and Fifa. "The confirmation of these 13 clubs sets the stage for another exciting M-League season, especially with DPMM making a comeback to local football and two AFL A1 sides entering the top flight," said the MFL. The new season will open with the Charity Shield clash between defending champions JDT and runners-up Selangor on Aug 8 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. The FA Cup kicks off in mid-August, while the Malaysia Cup and Challenge Cup begin in January. Unlike last season's extended 14-month transition period, the 2025-26 campaign will span 10 months - part of MFL's move to align with the calendars of major international leagues. Fixtures are expected to be released soon, though scheduling remains tricky as the AFC will only conduct draws for the Asian Champions League Elite and ACL2 - involving JDT and Selangor - on Aug 15. Dates for the Asean Club Championship, also featuring both clubs, have yet to be confirmed.
