Heritage Player Issue: No Official Letters From FIFA, AFC To Resubmit Documents - FAM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said it has not received any official letter from the International Football Federation (FIFA) or the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regarding the request to resubmit the documents of the country's heritage players.

This was confirmed by FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman who denied all 'naughty' allegations from several parties, besides stressing that all player registration procedures have been fully complied with according to existing guidelines.

"As of today, we have not received any letter from AFC and FIFA. We follow all laws. We deny all such statements (referring to news reports)," he said briefly when contacted by Bernama, today.

Earlier, an Indonesian news portal, Disway ID claimed that if it is true that Malaysia is using heritage players illegally, FAM could be subject to strict action by FIFA including suspension from all tournaments organised by the world governing body, including the ASEAN Cup.

The report also mentioned that the results of matches involving Malaysian heritage players such as the 4-0 win over Vietnam in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers last month could be overturned into a 0-3 defeat for Malaysia.

FAM had previously stressed that the five heritage players called up to join the Harimau Malaya squad had gone through a strict screening process set by FIFA.

Five new heritage players, namely Facundo Garces, Imanol Machuca, Jon Irazabal, Joao Figueiredo and Rodrigo Holgado, have received official approval from FIFA to represent the national squad.

Meanwhile, Bernama's efforts to obtain further clarification from AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John have so far been unsuccessful as he could not be contacted.

-- BERNAMA