Malaysian Football Association urgently holds press conference over FIFA sanctions on 7 naturalized players

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is scheduled to clarify the disputes related to the illegal naturalization of 7 players on December 22.

According to The Star, FAM will hold a special press conference on December 22 to explain the contentious issues regarding the unauthorized naturalization of 7 players.

Currently, FAM is under close scrutiny after the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC), led by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, released findings concerning the forgery of documents by seven players who are now suspended by FIFA.

According to the report, FAM failed to identify the individuals responsible for forging the aforementioned documents. The investigation committee recommended that FAM immediately report the case to the police so that authorities can conduct a thorough investigation, clarify the origin of the suspected forged documents, and hold those involved accountable.

Additionally, the committee proposed that FAM’s disciplinary board initiate internal disciplinary procedures against the suspended FAM Secretary General, Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, following proper protocols. However, public confusion grew when the report, although published on FAM’s official website, was removed within 24 hours.

Recently, FIFA imposed further sanctions on FAM, including nullifying the results of three international friendlies involving Malaysia against Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine. Moreover, FAM was fined 10,000 Swiss francs, approximately 51,414 Malaysian ringgit.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also penalized FAM, though these violations were unrelated to the player document forgery case. Specifically, AFC sanctioned FAM for two infractions during the Asian Cup qualifier match between Malaysia and Nepal held at Bukit Jalil Stadium on November 18. Nevertheless, local experts believe that despite appealing to CAS, FAM is unlikely to avoid heavy penalties from AFC for the matches against Nepal and Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.