After FIFA rejected their appeal regarding the fraudulent naturalization of seven players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) affirmed their intent to further escalate the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). According to Bharian newspaper, this action challenges FIFA’s decision.
The newspaper quoted expert Zulakbal Abd Karim, who warned that FAM must prepare for even more severe consequences if the CAS ruling does not side with them.
He emphasized that FIFA had presented “rock-solid” evidence of document forgery in the naturalization of seven players, as revealed in the detailed investigative report published by the organization. This also means that the initial penalty imposed on FAM is almost certainly not subject to change.
Expert Zulakbal Abd Karim stated: “FIFA has provided clear evidence to address FAM. When we continue to take the matter to CAS, it is tantamount to questioning the evidence they possess.
And by doing so, the risk of harsher disciplinary measures being applied could entirely occur. Therefore, if FAM decides to pursue the case to CAS, they need to prepare for all scenarios.”
According to Bharian newspaper, FIFA has the right to increase the penalty and extend the disciplinary period if FAM fails in its appeal at CAS.
Previously, the Secretary-General of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John, suggested that FIFA’s penalty on FAM (a fine of approximately 11.5 billion VND, or roughly $470,000 USD) was only the first part of the problem.
He affirmed that FIFA would commence a second investigative phase, focusing on the submission process, those responsible for handling it, and the systemic loopholes that allowed the forged documents to be approved.
Mr. Windsor stated: “The penalties FIFA announced recently were only disciplinary actions related to the matches. The more significant investigation into responsibility and procedures is the next phase.”
The AFC anticipates that high-ranking FAM officials, including acting President Datuk Yusoff Mahadi and other key figures, will be summoned as soon as FIFA officially opens the investigation file. However, Windsor affirmed that FAM risks having its FIFA membership suspended. If that happens, Malaysian football could potentially collapse.
The AFC Secretary-General added: “The suspension of FAM’s FIFA membership is not an issue at this moment. Everything depends on the final conclusion. If the wrongdoing is attributed to a few individuals, the level of handling will be different, but if it involves the entire apparatus, it will be a completely different story.”
