Allow FAM To Complete FIFA Appeal Process - Hannah

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has urged all parties to allow the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to complete its appeal process against the sanctions imposed by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

Hannah said the ministry takes FIFA’s decision seriously while emphasising that the priority is to ensure all processes are carried out with full integrity for the sake of the country.

“The current priority is for FAM to complete the FIFA and international legal appeal process until it is fully resolved. The impact of this matter does not only involve the seven players but also our entire national team,” she said in an Instagram post today.

She also acknowledged the disappointment felt by Harimau Malaya fans following FIFA’s ruling, adding that she shared the same sentiment.

“Just like the many thousands of Harimau Malaya fans out there, I too am saddened and angry reading about FIFA’s decision,” she said.

The minister also reiterated her commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of every Malaysian athlete, regardless of the sport.

In a statement yesterday, FIFA said its disciplinary committee has imposed sanctions on FAM and seven heritage players for breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) relating to falsification of documents.

The players sanctioned are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.

FIFA said FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility, which allowed them to feature in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Vietnam on June 10.

As a result, FAM was fined CHF350,000 (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined CHF2,000 (about RM10,560) and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months, effective from the date of notification of the decision.

FAM, in a statement, has confirmed it will file an appeal against FIFA’s ruling on the aforementioned sanctions in a bid to safeguard the interests of the players and the Malaysian national team.

FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi confirmed that the association has received FIFA’s official ruling on the matter, adding that all documentation and procedures had been submitted transparently in line with the prescribed guidelines.

Meanwhile, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim has also urged FAM to expedite the appeal process against the sanctions imposed by FIFA.

He said the move was crucial to uphold integrity and transparency, while safeguarding the interests of Harimau Malaya supporters and the wider community.

“The Malaysian football reputation must be protected, and any form of political interference or sabotage that seeks to disrupt the sport must be firmly rejected,” he said in an Instagram post today.

In the meantime, former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin found the decision by FIFA to take such action as ‘strange’.

Khairy, through an Instagram post, even shared a five-step process for foreign-born players with Malaysian grandparents which included verifying ancestry, confirming citizenship, obtaining a Malaysian passport, submitting documentation to FIFA and FIFA’s approval.

“FIFA had already granted approval as per the process shown. That means FIFA had already vetted the documents and done the necessary due diligence before allowing the seven players to represent Malaysia.

“Why change their minds now? Who lodged the complaint?” he asked.

-- BERNAMA