AFF Rejects Persebaya and Malut United for ACC 2025/2026

PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) has issued an official clarification regarding the absence of Persebaya Surabaya and Malut United from the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) 2025/2026 drawing in Bangkok.

According to AFF’s letter to PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi, both clubs failed to qualify as they only finished third and fourth in Liga 1 2024/2025.

“While we greatly appreciate PSSI’s support and partnership in regional football development, after careful consideration, we regret that we cannot accept the nominations of Persebaya Surabaya and Malut United,” wrote Winston Lee, AFF Secretary General.

Tournament regulations require each member nation with two slots to send their league champion and runner-up — a rule equally applied to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

PT LIB stated they followed proper mechanisms in submitting club nominations, however the final decision rests with AFF as the tournament organizer.