FIB flip-flop raises fresh doubts over Super League licensing
In a statement released today, FIB chairman Sheikh Nasir Sheikh Sharif said the body is still reviewing documents submitted by clubs, but did not specify which teams had applied or whether all had met the deadline.
"The FIB wishes to inform that the document review process for national licence applications submitted by all clubs to compete in the 2025-2026 Super League is ongoing.
"The committee requires a bit more time to thoroughly review a total of 387 documents and entries from each Super League club and 98 documents and entries submitted by A1 Semi-Pro League clubs before the May 10 closing date," said Sheikh Nasir in a statement issued by the MFL today.
However, the latest statement raises eyebrows as it comes just days after the FIB confidently declared that all Super League teams along with Melaka FC and Immigration FC from the A1 Semi-Pro League had submitted their documents on time.
That earlier announcement, made last Sunday, left little room for doubt.
"All Super League clubs, including two clubs from the A1 Semi-Pro League, Melaka FC and Immigration FC, have uploaded documents for the 2025-2026 national licence application," the statement read.
Yet several teams facing well-known financial issues have openly admitted they were not applying for the licence, leaving many questioning why the FIB claimed otherwise.
To further muddy the waters, last weekend's statement noted that the MFL's club licensing unit would be reviewing the documents before handing them over to the FIB for a decision.
Today's version makes no mention of the licensing unit, instead suggesting that the FIB is directly handling the entire review process.
Another notable shift lies in the wording.
Last Sunday's confident use of "all Super League clubs" has now been replaced with "each Super League club" — a subtle but telling change that hints at a retreat from their earlier blanket assurance.
"Once all documents have been reviewed, the FIB will make an official announcement on the outcome of the 2025-2026 national licence applications," added Sheikh Nasir.
Unlike the earlier statement, which firmly stated that no deadline extensions would be given, today's version offers no clarity on timelines or consequences for non-compliance.
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