The Malaysia Super League (Liga Super Malaysia) is a Malaysian professional league for association football. It is at the top flight of the Malaysian football league system and it is managed by the Malaysia Super League Sdn Bhd, under supervision of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). The league is contested between 14 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Malaysia Premier League. The 14 clubs participating in this top flight league need to pass a set of requirements and verification process, particularly related to professionalism and infrastructure feasibility.
It was previously known as the Semi-Pro League from 1989 to 1993 and the M-League (Liga-M) from 1993 to 2004. It is currently sponsored by Astro and therefore officially known as the Astro Malaysia Super League. The competition formed in 2004 following the decision by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to privatize the league. As a result, MSL Sendirian Berhad (or MSL Proprietary Limited) was created to oversee the marketing aspects of the league.
Since 1979, a total of 11 clubs have been crowned champions of the Malaysian football system. Since the inception of the Super League in 2004, six teams have won the title: Kedah FA (2 titles), Selangor FA (2), Kelantan FA (2), Pahang FA (1), Perlis FA (1) and Negeri Sembilan FA (1).
The current champion is Kelantan FA, who won the 2012 season. They retain the second consecutive league title.
Read more about Malaysia Super League: History, Logo Evolution, Teams, Champions, Great Honours, Foreign Players, Club Records
Famous quotes containing the word league:
“He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no harm shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the wild animals of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the wild animals shall be at peace with you.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Job 5:19-23.