Football Queensland is confident the introduction of the Malaysian Under 23 and Brisbane Roar NYL teams into this year's National Premier Leagues Queensland (NPL Queensland) will accelerate the growth of football in the state.

Community and elite players, coaches and fans alike now have the opportunity to broaden their understanding of our great game further, enjoying and learning from the different styles, philosophies, tactics and techniques of international and A-League football, week in week out.

“The league kicks off this weekend and NPL Queensland is generating unprecedented interest from the football family and the wider sports community.” Football Queensland Chief Operating Officer, Ben Mannion said.

Queensland has a 13,000 strong Malaysian community, 40% living outside of Brisbane, and Brisbane Roar also boast a strong following across the state. This will generate massive interest in the progress of both teams in this years competition.

The introduction of these teams has not passed without opinion, as evidenced by recent conjecture about match-fixing and betting irregularities within the Asian football region, which are strongly refuted by Football Queensland.

“The story, as reported earlier this week, is refuted by Football Queensland and our colleagues at the Football Association of Malaysia,” said Mannion.

“Football Federation Australia together with the Member Federations, work closely with internationally recognised sports betting monitors Sportsradar to identify possible irregularities within their competitions, and report to relevant law enforcement agencies as and when required. We also have the resources and experience available through the FFA‟s Integrity Unit based in Sydney.”

“These measures and controls are consistent with those of international football administrative bodies who have extensive experience tackling match-fixing issues, including the Asian Football Confederation”.

Mannion further clarified: “Following discussions with FFA, a nationally consistent model has been applied that clearly states that the NPL Finals Series is for fully licensed NPL clubs only.”

“The Brisbane Roar NYL teams will compete for competition points in the home and away season of NPL and, as such, remain eligible to be Premiers. The same rules apply to Harimau Muda 'A'.”

“However, the Brisbane Roar NYL team and Harimau Muda 'A' remain ineligible for the Australia-wide NPL Finals Series and the separate state-based finals series.”

“Both these participants are aware of these conditions and it clearly has not impacted on the season ahead.”

Football Queensland maintains it operates a best practice model, in conjunction with Football Federation Australia, to ensure the integrity and reputation of all competitions under its control.

“Both Football Queensland and Football Association of Malaysia will continue to collaborate in supporting football in both countries for the betterment of each and every player,” said Mannion.

“This conjecture will not weaken this relationship between Football Queensland and Football Association of Malaysia.”

“It must be stressed that the reports we saw earlier this week were not prompted by any direct accusation against NPL Queensland and are no more than speculation.”

“Football Queensland takes the issue of match-fixing seriously and believes the systems in place provide best practice monitoring and reporting of any potential irregularities.”

“Football Queensland is continuing to deliver the NPL model across the state to provide Queensland‟s elite players and coaches with a pathway to the A-League and W-League, as well as state and national representative opportunities at all age levels.”