'Next year I've asked to withdraw': Tengku Abdul Rahman
PETALING JAYA: Will 2024/25 Malaysia Cup runner-up Sri Pahang follow in the footsteps of Perak FC, which withdrew from next season's Super League competition?
This comes as the Tok Gajah squad's status—whether they will continue competing in Malaysia's premier football competition (M League)—remains uncertain.
When asked if Sri Pahang would still compete in next season's Super League, Sri Pahang owner Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah said: 'Next year I've asked to withdraw.'
Tengku Abdul Rahman said this during an interview with Astro Arena alongside the Johor Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who also owns Johor Darul Ta'zim Football Club (JDT), following the Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Previously, there were claims that the East Coast team would not participate in next season's Super League due to financial issues.
During the interview, Tengku Abdul Rahman also congratulated JDT for successfully defending their Malaysia Cup championship after defeating Sri Pahang 2-1.
'Congratulations to JDT, especially Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who has guided JDT for 12 years from a young age. I have followed Tunku Mahkota Ismail's development and ideas. I can see the changes in tempo, quality, and this will further improve the national team,' said Tengku Abdul Rahman.
Meanwhile, Tunku Mahkota Ismail admitted to having mixed emotions after JDT successfully lifted the Malaysia Cup and created a new record by achieving a 'quadruple hat-trick'—winning four trophies in one season for the third consecutive time.
Tunku Mahkota Ismail acknowledged feeling sad because legendary teams like Sri Pahang will no longer exist next year.
'For me, it's a mixture of emotions because I am certainly happy with this achievement—30 trophies in 12 years. But there is also sadness because legendary teams like Pahang will no longer be around next year.'
'I hope that one day, God willing, Tengku Abdul Rahman might reconsider. But regardless, Tengku Abdul Rahman is my mentor. I have learned much from Tengku Abdul Rahman about how to administer and manage football.'
'So I will always appreciate Tengku Abdul Rahman's sacrifices and will always seek his advice and guidance. Whatever happens, I wish Tengku Abdul Rahman all the best,' said Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
JDT prep for M-League with La Liga action
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) will play newly promoted La Liga side, Levante UD, in a friendly in Spain next month. Under new head coach Xisco Munoz, the Malaysian champions will do their pre-season training abroad. "More friendly matches in Spain will be announced soon. Levante won the Segunda Division in the 2024-25 season to earn promotion to the Spanish top flight," JDT said on social media on Friday. Among the Levante stars is 21-year-old attacking midfielder Carlos Alvarez, who chalked up seven goals and 11 assists last season. His meteoric rise saw him sign a new deal with a release clause of €25 million (RM127 million). JDT, who aim to be an Asian power, plan to arrange for more matches in Spain, apart from training there.
Barnama
15 hours ago
- 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
16 hours ago
- 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.
