FIFA faces the risk of being deceived by the Football Association of Malaysia

The scandal involving the naturalization of players in Malaysian football remains unresolved, with suspicions that FAM is employing cosmetic reforms and the AFC's protection to bypass FIFA again.

The naturalization scandal in Malaysian football is on the verge of entering a new phaseas the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is suspected of potentially continuing to deceive FIFA, this time with support from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

However, observers believe this collective resignation might be just a “strategic move.” Malaysian football analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli warns that former Exco members could soon return after their mandatory waiting period and participate in upcoming elections.

“According to regulations, once their term ends, they can fully return. Then the question is, what message will FIFA receive from FAM?” Mr. Pekan Ramli raised this concern.

According to this expert, as public attention gradually fades from the naturalization scandal, the likelihood of the old Exco returning becomes clearer. He believes this may be just a “performance” to appease FIFA rather than a genuine reform. Notably, Pekan Ramli revealed that the Exco’s resignation was not directly demanded by FIFA but mainly recommended by AFC. This raises doubts that AFC’s support is merely symbolic and might even serve as a “shield” helping FAM avoid sanctions.

“It must be clarified whether this resignation truly meets FIFA’s demands regarding the forged player documents case. FIFA wants to identify who is responsible and enforce specific penalties,” he emphasized.

Pekan Ramli stated that FIFA’s demands go beyond surface-level personnel changesand include a comprehensive review of FAM’s governance mechanisms to ensure similar violations do not recur. Furthermore, he pointed out a core issue: FAM’s current statutes strongly limit third-party interference in personnel elections, making it difficult for AFC to exert real influence.

“Only affiliated units have voting rights, and in many cases, results seem predetermined. AFC needs to reconsider these closed regulations and propose reforms at the congress,” Pekan Ramli concluded.