FMT:
MACC to reach out to FIFA on probe into FAM scandal
2 hours ago
Dineskumar Ragu
Chief commissioner Azam Baki says more information is required on the alleged falsified documents involving seven mixed-heritage players
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the anti-graft agency’s senior director of investigations, Zainul Darus, will be tasked with reaching out to FIFA.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will look into reports of “doctored documentation” involving seven new mixed-heritage players in the Harimau Malaya squad.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the anti-graft agency’s senior director of investigations, Zainul Darus, will be tasked with reaching out to FIFA for more information on the allegations.
“This is to determine whether the offences fall within MACC’s jurisdiction,” he told FMT.
Yesterday, FIFA’s disciplinary committee said the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million).
Meanwhile, each of the seven players were fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000) and given a 12-month suspension, effective immediately.
The players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
All seven players featured in Malaysia’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, after which FIFA received a complaint regarding the eligibility of several of them.
FAM confirmed that it received an official notification from FIFA over its alleged breach of Article 22 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which relates to forgery and falsification.
FAM acting president Yusoff Mahadi said it will appeal against the decision by FIFA and stressed that the association and the players involved had all acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout the process.
In July, an Indonesian report claimed that Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam on June 10 may be overturned because some of Harimau Malaya’s naturalised players were purportedly ineligible to represent the nation. The report alleged that the result would be voided and Vietnam would be awarded a 3-0 win.
FAM dismissed the report as baseless, saying it had complied with the necessary procedures for the registration of the players.
Nine of the team’s starting 11 in the game were naturalised players, with five of them – Figueiredo, Holgado, Irazabal, Garces and Machuca – receiving FIFA clearance just hours before kick-off.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the anti-graft agency’s senior director of investigations, Zainul Darus, will be tasked with reaching out to FIFA for more information on the allegations.
“This is to determine whether the offences fall within MACC’s jurisdiction,” he told FMT.
Yesterday, FIFA’s disciplinary committee said the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million).
Meanwhile, each of the seven players were fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000) and given a 12-month suspension, effective immediately.
The players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
All seven players featured in Malaysia’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, after which FIFA received a complaint regarding the eligibility of several of them.
FAM confirmed that it received an official notification from FIFA over its alleged breach of Article 22 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which relates to forgery and falsification.
FAM acting president Yusoff Mahadi said it will appeal against the decision by FIFA and stressed that the association and the players involved had all acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout the process.
In July, an Indonesian report claimed that Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam on June 10 may be overturned because some of Harimau Malaya’s naturalised players were purportedly ineligible to represent the nation. The report alleged that the result would be voided and Vietnam would be awarded a 3-0 win.
FAM dismissed the report as baseless, saying it had complied with the necessary procedures for the registration of the players.
Nine of the team’s starting 11 in the game were naturalised players, with five of them – Figueiredo, Holgado, Irazabal, Garces and Machuca – receiving FIFA clearance just hours before kick-off.
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Whether legal or illegal, it has been a great shame on the country to have to resort to "buying" foreign players to represent Malaysia. FAM officials should be flogged, tarred and feathered.
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