FAM denies executive committee dissolved, mass resignations

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has denied allegations of the mass resignation of its executive committee members, following claims that some members were asked to vacate their posts amid a scandal surrounding seven “heritage” players.

Labelling such allegations as “untrue and baseless,” FAM acting president Yusoff Mahadi emphasised that no such thing has taken place.

“The appointment and election of all FAM executive committee members was made through legal and constitutional channels (via) the FAM Congress’ voting process, in accordance with the FAM Statute and the guidelines set by the international football governing body.

“FAM stresses that the existing leadership structure continues to carry out its responsibilities and mandate with full commitment to ensure the continuity of governance and development of national football,” Yusoff said in a statement today.

He added that FAM remains committed to operating transparently, professionally, and with integrity for the sake of Malaysian football.

Yusoff’s statement comes after Harian Metro earlier today reported that FAM’s executive committee line-up was asked to resign during a meeting held in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

Quoting a source, the report claimed that the meeting discussed the findings of an independent committee established by FAM to probe issues involving seven Harimau Malaya players, particularly the alleged falsification of their citizenship documents.

Asserting that the independent committee’s full findings have since been submitted to FAM, the report detailed that while there was a proposal for FAM’s executive committee line-up to resign, not all present at the meeting were in agreement.

The independent committee, led by former chief justice Raus Sharif, does not feature individuals from the association, as part of efforts to ensure its investigation is carried out fairly, transparently, and professionally.

Fifa probes, sanctions

Last week, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said FAM officials should resign from their posts if they committed wrongdoings linked with the alleged forgery of citizenship documents for the players.

The Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) FC owner, however, noted that FAM’s insistence on bringing the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) should be understood as a sign of confidence in their case.

The International Federation of Association Football’s (Fifa) previously initiated an investigation into FAM and the seven players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.

On Sept 26, Fifa said the players were guilty of violating Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) related to document falsification.

The global football body’s probes found that FAM had submitted allegedly falsified documents to confirm the eligibility of the players, allowing them to compete in the third round match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers on June 10, where Malaysia won 4-0 against Vietnam.

Consequently, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.

Following the Fifa Appeal Committee’s Nov 3 rejection of an appeal filed by FAM and the players, which claimed a technical error, FAM had on Dec 8 submitted its statement of appeal to the CAS.

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