The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) resigned yesterday after a scandal involving the naturalization of seven foreign-born players led to FIFA sanctions, a court appeal and intensified scrutiny of the country’s soccer governance.
All committee members, elected 11 months ago for the four-year term that runs through 2029, stepped down with immediate effect in a unanimous and voluntary decision to protect the association’s credibility.
The mass resignation followed FIFA’s decision in September last year to fine the association about US$450,000 and suspend the seven players for a year after determining that fake documents had been filed to support their naturalization.
Photo: Reuters
The players — Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel— were also fined individually.
The seven, who originate from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands and Spain, played for Malaysia, including in a qualifying match against Vietnam for the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. Malaysia won the game.
Malaysian officials had said that all seven players were eligible under FIFA rules because each had a grandparent born in Malaysia.
However, FIFA said that its probe obtained original documents from the players’ countries of origin that contradicted the claims.
In a statement yesterday, the FAM said that the committee members’ decision to resign after just 11 months demonstrated that service to Malaysian soccer takes precedence over holding office.
The mass resignation was intended to safeguard the association’s reputation and mitigate further consequences for Malaysian soccer, it said.
It would allow FIFA and the AFC to review governance, administrative and procedural matters within FAM, and ensure any reforms can be undertaken without distraction or perceived conflicts of interest, it said.
“The executive committee recognizes the importance of collective responsibility and the need to act in a manner that protects the integrity and standing of the association,” the statement said.
FAM said the move was aimed at restoring confidence among supporters, stakeholders and the wider soccer community, adding that institutional credibility is essential to the stability and future development of the sport in Malaysia.
The outgoing leadership would fully cooperate with FIFA, the AFC and other stakeholders, it said.
No timeline was announced for interim leadership or new elections.
Acting FAM president Mohamad Yusoff Mahadi told local media that committee secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman would continue overseeing day-to-day operations of the governing body, which is expected to convene a congress to appoint a new executive committee.
After FIFA rejected FAM’s appeal, the association took the case to sports highest court, the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FAM on Tuesday said that the Switzerland-based court had temporarily halted the FIFA-imposed ban on the players, allowing them to compete while an appeal is reviewed.
It did not say when a final ruling is expected.
The Kuala Lumpur-based governing body for Asia would also conduct a review into FAM’s internal management and administrative processes.
“We want to identify the weaknesses and gaps that we can benchmark against a modern and standard association,” AFC general secretary Windsor John said.
No timeframe has been set for the review, John said.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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