AFF Rejects Persebaya and Malut United for ASEAN Club Championship

The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has officially rejected Persebaya Surabaya and Malut United’s participation in the ASEAN Club Championship 2025/26 — accepting only the top two clubs from each country.

AFF Secretary General Winston Lee confirmed in his letter to PT LIB that the regional competition will only accept Liga 1 Indonesia’s champion and runner-up — Persib Bandung and Dewa United.

“While we greatly appreciate PSSI’s support and partnership in developing football in the region, we regretfully cannot accept the nominations of Persebaya Surabaya and Malut United,” Lee wrote in his letter.

PT LIB had previously attempted to register the third and fourth-placed Liga 1 clubs for participation in the competition, but AFF regulations provided no flexibility for changing the participation format.