Malaysia PM Vows Full Probe into FIFA Football Player Suspensions

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim assured that there would be no cover-up in the country’s investigation into alleged document forgery that led to FIFA suspending seven naturalised players of the national football team.

The global football body announced this week that it would start a formal probe into the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) operations. FIFA also informed authorities in five countries about potential criminal proceedings after rejecting FAM’s appeal against the players’ suspension.

Last month, FAM suspended its secretary-general and formed an independent committee to investigate the matter. The association also said it plans to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Prime Minister Anwar emphasised transparency in the investigation but highlighted that FAM should be allowed to defend itself. He said the government will not act solely based on FIFA’s findings. “Go ahead and investigate. That has been the instruction. But then again, the process has to go on,” he said.

The seven players—Facundo Garces, Gabriel Arrocha, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel—received a 12-month ban in September after FIFA discovered that false documentation was used so they could participate in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam.

The findings caused outrage in Malaysia, with fans and some lawmakers calling for action against FAM officials and government agencies involved in issuing citizenship documents.

Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh told parliament that the ministry cannot dismiss FAM officials, as government interference in national football bodies could trigger a FIFA suspension. Such a suspension would affect not only the senior team but also youth and women’s squads.

“I understand the public anger, but I have to follow the process and the findings made by FIFA so far regarding the seven players,” Yeoh said. She added that the ministry proposed withholding additional funding for FAM until the investigation, led by a top former Malaysian judge, is completed.

FIFA’s appeals committee report showed that while the players claimed their grandparents were born in Malaysia, the birth certificates obtained by FIFA had significant discrepancies with the documents submitted by FAM.

The Prime Minister and FAM have promised a full and transparent investigation, ensuring accountability while protecting the integrity of Malaysian football.