Yeoh: No additional grants to FAM until 'heritage' players fiasco resolved

Yeoh: No additional grants to FAM until 'heritage' players fiasco resolved

Malaysiakini Team
Published: Nov 20, 2025 9:51 PM
Updated: 12:51 AM



PARLIAMENT | Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that no additional grants will be given to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) until it resolves its “heritage” player issue.

She said the decision was made to ensure that the integrity of sports management is maintained and the people’s trust in the usage of public funds can be restored.

Yeoh added that the independent investigation being led by former chief justice Raus Sharif also needs to be completed first to identify what caused the failure in managing the documents involving the seven “heritage” players.

“For now, we will not increase grants to FAM. They need to manage this issue well and convince the people that public funds are used with accountability,” she said when winding up the committee-level Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 for her ministry at the Dewan Rakyat today.

In September, the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) imposed a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million) on FAM, while the players - Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal, and Hector Hevel - were each fined 2,000 Swiss francs.

According to Fifa, the seven “heritage” players do not have any grandparents born in Malaysia as claimed.

However, FAM denied that the players’ documents had been doctored, arguing that Fifa had not provided evidence to substantiate its claims.

FAM later filed an appeal with Fifa against the sanctions, claiming a technical error, but it was dismissed on Nov 3.

On Oct 17, FAM suspended its secretary-general, Noor Azman Rahman, in relation to the case and announced an independent probe.

Grants can’t be used for appeal

Meanwhile, Yeoh stressed that the RM15 million government funds allocated to the Harimau Malaya team and the U-23 squad cannot be used for FAM’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as the funds were meant for the national team’s preparations.

“The Madani government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has given strong support to Harimau Malaya to qualify for the Asian Cup, and we have spent RM5 million from the grant for the first time when Kim Pang Gon was the coach.

“The second (funding of) RM 15 million was for qualifying in the Asian Cup, and the prime minister has also worked on additional contributions from the private sector worth RM15 million.

“So, there is no issue of the government not providing support; in fact, I think the government has done more than it should to support our national team.

“And these funds cannot be used for FAM’s appeal process. So, if FAM wants to go to CAS, FAM must be prepared to bear the expenses on its own,” she stressed.

Cannot interfere with FAM’s structure

On suggestions for the authorities to haul up those who allegedly forged the documents, Yeoh said the authorities would take action based on the findings of Raus’ investigation.

However, Yeoh said the government cannot interfere in FAM’s structure, citing Fifa’s actions against Indonesia, Zimbabwe, and Brunei after their respective governments interfered in the affairs of their football associations.

“The minister cannot issue instructions that affect the structure of the FAM committee, even though many may be dissatisfied with their performance.

“If we dissolve or sack the FAM committee, that will invite another sanction from Fifa,” Yeoh mentioned.