M-League: FIFA approves 'extra time' for player registration

KUALA LUMPUR: Football clubs competing in the Malaysian League (M-League) competition have received some ‘extra time’ to prepare their squads ahead of the 2021 season, as the first period of registration for players has been extended till Feb 19.

Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said the extension was approved by the International Football Federation (FIFA) yesterday.

He said the move to extend the registration period was due to several constraints faced by clubs during the COVID-19 period, especially involving the registration of import players.

"This is a very good development for the clubs involved in the M-League because they have another week to ensure their players are ready for the new season," he said in a statement released by MFL today.

Ab Ghani also hopes that teams will utilise the extra time as best as possible, as no more extensions would be granted by FIFA after this.

MFL had previously set the first registration window for the M-League from Jan 21 until Feb 12.

The 2021 M-League campaign is scheduled to kick off on March 5 with the Sultan Ahmad Shah Charity Cup tie between Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Kedah.

-- BERNAMA