The entire executive committee of Malaysia’s football governing body has resigned “voluntarily” following a scandal in which European and Latin American players were illegally granted citizenship to play for the national team.
A complaint was filed against the Football Federation of Malaysia (FAM) last year after Malaysia beat regional rival Vietnam 4-0 with several players only gaining citizenship the previous week.
A FIFA investigation concluded the men’s grandparents were not born in Malaysia as claimed, but rather in Spain, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands.
FIFA alleged that FAM “falsified” documents in order to field players, ordering the association to pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs ($663,000).
A table taken from a report shows the names of footballers’ grandparents and place of birth, according to FIFA, in falsified and original documents. (ABC News: Jarrod Fankhauser)
“Presenting fraudulent documents in order to gain eligibility to play for a national team is purely and simply a form of cheating,”
The FIFA report states.
A FAM statement yesterday announcing the resignations said it was a “prudent and principled step taken in light of the recent situation”.
The leaders had been elected for a term from 2025 to 2029 but their unanimous “voluntary” departure aimed to restore the confidence of supporters, stakeholders and the football community, the press release said.
“Maintaining institutional credibility is essential for the stability, sustainability and future development of Malaysian football,” he said.
Arbitration court allows footballers to play
When FIFA released its findings last year, seven players were sentenced to a 12-month suspension from all soccer-related activity and individual fines of around $3,800.
Players whose family heritage was in question were Gabriel Palmera and Jon Irazabal, of Spanish descent; Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado and Imanol Machuca born in Argentina; Joao Figueiredo, born in Brazil; and Hector Hevel, born in the Netherlands.
Five of seven foreign-born players suspended by FIFA. (AFP: Mohd Rasfan/ABC News Graphic: Jarrod Fankhauser)
FIFA concluded that the players were the “ultimate beneficiaries” and “illegally and successfully profited from the consequences.”
They appealed FIFA’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which this week granted a stay of the 12-month ban until their appeal has been heard.
An in-person hearing for their appeal will take place at the headquarters of the Court of Arbitration in Lausanne, Switzerland, in late February.
