Yeoh: FAM better have an answer to Fifa's allegations

Yeoh: FAM better have an answer to Fifa's allegations


Published: Oct 7, 2025 10:15 AM
Updated: 1:17 PM



Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is taking a firm stance after the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) dropped a bombshell, disputing the Malaysian heritage of seven footballers.

“The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) better have an answer for these revelations by Fifa.

“Fans are heartbroken, angry, and disappointed.

“We must also not forget the Harimau Malaya team, who will be playing against Laos this week. To our Malaysian players, we are still here for you,” she said when contacted.

Fifa today released the grounds of its earlier ruling to sanction FAM and the seven footballers who were naturalised citizens.

In it, the sports body said that contrary to documents submitted by FAM that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia, its own probe found original documents which state that those grandparents were born in Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

The Fifa disciplinary committee also cast doubt on the thoroughness of the National Registration Department’s (NRD) verification process, as the latter had not based its decision on original documents.

FAM previously said it would appeal the sanctions and disputed Fifa’s findings, alleging the sports body had not furnished evidence to prove its claims.

The sanctions from Fifa entailed a RM1.9 million fine against FAM, and RM10,500 fines against each of the seven footballers.

The players were also slapped with a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities.