FIFA’s Disciplinary Decision Against FAM

Abstract 

In late September 2025, sports enthusiasts, especially football fans in Malaysia, were struck with news on the ruling by Federation of Association Football (FIFA) towards Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on the falsification of official paperwork. The forged heritage documents submitted by FAM warranted a breach to Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which led to the imposition of CHF 350,000 (approximately RM 1.8 million) in fine along with 12-month suspensions for each sentence on FAM. This article also highlights the findings of FIFA on such discrepancies, followed by FAM’s attempts in their argument and appeal to overturn the sanctions before FIFA’s Appeals Tribunal.

1.0 Introduction 

Harimau Malaya represents the heart and soul of Malaysian football, with its legacy stretching back to the golden era of the 1970s. From qualifying for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich to winning the 2010 AFF Championship (currently known as the ASEAN Hyundai Cup),1the Malaysian national football team is seen as a symbol of national unity and pride. However, with its ongoing disciplinary proceedings by FIFA, Malaysian football fans are utterly disappointed by such revelation, with much public outcry demanding for transparency.2 

So, what exactly happened? According to the FIFA report made public on 6 October, the imposition of sanctions upon FAM and seven of its players stems from the violation of Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This significantly relates to the falsification of citizenship documents in attempts to bypass existing rules to participate in the Asian Cup qualifying match against Vietnam.3 

In light of the FIFA rule, its objective remains to preserve the fairness and integrity of sports by preventing the importation of foreign players into national football teams to boost performance.4 As such, foreign-born footballers are only allowed to represent countries of their biological parents or grandparents.5In other words, the representation is limited to national teams of countries with ancestral connection to the players. 

2.0 The Findings of International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) 

According to FIFA, the seven foreign players involved found traces of their heritage in countries such as Argentina, Spain, Brazil, and Netherlands. Upon FIFA’s investigation, the foreign birthplaces of the players’ corresponded with the original birth certificates of their grandparents,6 exposing the truth to the matter. With such findings, it unequivocally refuted FAM’s claim that the players have ancestral ties with Malaysia, exposing the attempt to emulate Indonesia’s naturalisation recruitment of Dutch-born footballers from Indonesian diaspora.7 This is supported by the fact that most of the foreign players involved were given Malaysian citizenship through naturalisation weeks upon their first call-ups.8 

With contradiction of the players’ birthplaces to the original records obtained by FIFA, it has been concluded that the documents submitted were falsified and altered. In FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision report, it has revealed a clear violation by FAM to Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code on forgery and falsification, showing disparity to the documents (Figure 2.1). 

Figure 2.1 Investigatory Reports of FIFA Disciplinary Committee 

3.0 The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)’s Response 

As a defence, FAM argued that they played no role in the preparation of falsified documents, claiming to have merely relied upon the issuance of citizenship by Malaysia’s National Registration Department (JPN). According to FAM’s secretary general, Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, such instances are the result of “technical error” contributed by the administrative staff during the document submission process to FIFA.9 On the liability of the players however, FAM has been vocal in defending the players’ interest in this matter, indicating that they had full reliance on FAM’s management and verification of documents.10 

Since receiving FIFA’s decision, FAM has appealed against it while invoking the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972 as an attempt to prevent any key evidence from being disclosed to the public, maintaining the confidentiality of such information. However, from the perspective of JPN, the citizenship of the players via naturalisation was in accordance with the due process under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution. Though JPN was unable to retrieve the original handwritten birth record, the Director General of JPN, Mr. Badrul Hisham Bin Alias, affirmed that comparative assessments were made to ensure accuracy in determining the eligibility of such issuance.11 

On 9 October 2025, the Home Minister of Malaysia, Mr. Saifuddin Nasution Ismail clarified in the Parliament that the naturalisation of the players was in compliance with the Constitution. Moreover, he has also mentioned that the grandparents’ birth certificates of the players were not mandatory for the naturalisation process given that the relevant conditions of JPN were met. As for the Youth and Sports Minister of Malaysia, Hannah Yeoh, such news of FIFA’s disciplinary decision came as a serious damage to the country’s image, prompting for immediate action to rectify such issue.12 As of 27 October 2025, the Former Chief Justice Tun Mohd Raus Sharif has been appointed to chair the independent committee of FAM to investigate the documentation issues on neutral grounds to ensure fairness and transparency.13 

4.0 Conclusion 

The FIFA disciplinary committee clarified that they never gave a definitive green light towards FAM on the eligibility of the players, highlighting the phrase “appeared to be eligible” in earlier letters.14 On 7th October 2025, FAM received FIFA’s full written judgment, in which the federation and seven of the players filed for an appeal on the decision. On the flip side, FAM digressed claiming that FIFA had reviewed such eligibility and gave confirmation for such representation.15 

Given that three out of seven of the suspended players play for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail has voiced his opinion on the matter. The regent posted a letter by JPN clarifying that the citizenships of the players were issued based on supporting evidence and nor original handwritten birth record.16 On top of that, the Regent explained that FIFA might impose reduced sanctions instead,17 subsequently affirming that the national squad project in which he initiated was not a failure that was foreshadowed by this crisis at hand. 

Amidst the noise, Harimau Malaya triumphed their way through Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Laos 5-1,18 with a much different line-up without the sanctioned players.19 Though such achievement is remarkable, yet noises from the past on such violation lingers on. Now all there is left for us to do is to await for the outcome of FAM’s appeal on 30 October, should the appeal be unsuccessful, FAM and the players involved can then bring forth the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).20 

Reference(S):

1. “FAM at 99: a journey from colonial roots to Malaysia’s football milestones” (Scoop Sports, 11 September 2025) <https://www.scoop.my/sports/268669/fam-at-99-a-journey-from-colonial-roots-to-malay sias-football-milestones/#:~:text=Over%20the%20decades%2C%20FAM%20oversaw,Se ptember%2011%2C%202025> accessed 27 October 2025 

2. Rashvinjeet S Bedi, “Fans, critics say ‘many unanswered questions’ on Malaysia football scandal, as minister defends citizenship process” (CNA, 9 October 2025) <https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/fifa-malaysia-football-scandal-minister-fans-crit ics-answers-5391751> accessed 27 October 2025 

3. Sadho Ram, “Everything You Should Know ABout FIFA’s Allegations That Harimau Malaya Players’ Documents Were Forged” (SAYS, 7 October 2025) <https://says.com/my/sports/fifa-report-reveals-forged-birth-certs-used-to-make-7-foreig n-players-eligible-for-msia> accessed 27 October 2025 

4. Koh Ewe, “Fifa accuses Malaysia of faking foreign-born players’ eligibility” (BBC, 7 October 2025) <https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqxzv75dp4go> accessed 27 October 2025 
5. Bernama, “Fifa’s document forgery findings damaging to Malaysia’s image – minister” (The Edge, 7 October 2025) <https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/773028> accessed 29 October 2025 
6. “Former Chief Justice to Lead FAM’s probe into Fifa suspension case” (The Star, 27 October 2025) <https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2025/10/27/former-chief-justice-to-lead-fams -probe-into-fifa-suspension-case> accessed 29 October 2025 

7. Sadho Ram, “Here’s All About FIFA’s RM1.9 Million Fine Against FAM Over ‘Forged’ Player Documents” (SAYS, 29 September 2025) <https://says.com/my/sports/heres-all-about-fifas-rm1-9-million-fine-against-fam-over-fo rged-player-documents> accessed 29 October 2025 

8. Lu Wei Hoong, “Malaysia fans fear Asian Cup blow as Fifa probe casts doubt on naturalised players” (The Straits Times, 1 October 2025)<https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-fans-fear-asian-cup-blow-as-fifa-pro be-casts-doubt-on-naturalised-players> accessed 29 October 2025 

9. “Malaysia beat Laos 5-1 in Asian Cup qualifier” (Bernama, 14 October 2025) <https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/10/14/malaysia-beat-laos-5 -1-in-asian-cup-qualifiers> accessed 27 October 2025 
10. “Oct 30 D-day for FAM’s appeal over Fifa sanctions” (Bernama, 17 October 2025) <https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/10/17/oct-30-d-day-for-fa ms-appeal-over-fifa-sanctions> accessed 27 October 2025

1 “FAM at 99: a journey from colonial roots to Malaysia’s football milestones” (Scoop Sports, 11 September 2025) <https://www.scoop.my/sports/268669/fam-at-99-a-journey-from-colonial-roots-to-malaysias-football-milestones/#: ~:text=Over%20the%20decades%2C%20FAM%20oversaw,September%2011%2C%202025> accessed 27 October 2025.

2 Rashvinjeet S Bedi, “Fans, critics say ‘many unanswered questions’ on Malaysia football scandal, as minister defends citizenship process” (CNA, 9 October 2025) <https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/fifa-malaysia-football-scandal-minister-fans-critics-answers-5391751> accessed 27 October 2025. 

3 Sadho Ram, “Everything You Should Know ABout FIFA’s Allegations That Harimau Malaya Players’ Documents Were Forged” (SAYS, 7 October 2025) <https://says.com/my/sports/fifa-report-reveals-forged-birth-certs-used-to-make-7-foreign-players-eligible-for-msia > accessed 27 October 2025. 

4 Koh Ewe, “Fifa accuses Malaysia of faking foreign-born players’ eligibility” (BBC, 7 October 2025) <https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqxzv75dp4go> accessed 27 October 2025. 

5Ibid. 

6Ibid.

7Ibid. 

8 Sadho Ram, “Everything You Should Know About FIFA’s Allegations That Harimau Malaya Players’ Documents Were Forged” (SAYS, 7 October 2025) <https://says.com/my/sports/fifa-report-reveals-forged-birth-certs-used-to-make-7-foreign-players-eligible-for-msia > accessed 29 October 2025. 

9Ibid.

10 Ibid. 

11 Sadho Ram, “Everything You Should Know About FIFA’s Allegations That Harimau Malaya Players’ Documents Were Forged” (SAYS, 7 October 2025) <https://says.com/my/sports/fifa-report-reveals-forged-birth-certs-used-to-make-7-foreign-players-eligible-for-msia > accessed 29 October 2025. 

12 Bernama, “Fifa’s document forgery findings damaging to Malaysia’s image – minister” (The Edge, 7 October 2025) <https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/773028> accessed 29 October 2025. 

13 “Former Chief Justice to Lead FAM’s probe into Fifa suspension case” (The Star, 27 October 2025) <https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2025/10/27/former-chief-justice-to-lead-fams-probe-into-fifa-suspensio n-case> accessed 29 October 2025.

14 Sadho Ram, “Everything You Should Know About FIFA’s Allegations That Harimau Malaya Players’ Documents Were Forged” (SAYS, 7 October 2025) <https://says.com/my/sports/fifa-report-reveals-forged-birth-certs-used-to-make-7-foreign-players-eligible-for-msia > accessed 29 October 2025. 

15 Sadho Ram, “Here’s All About FIFA’s RM1.9 Million Fine Against FAM Over ‘Forged’ Player Documents” (SAYS, 29 September 2025) <https://says.com/my/sports/heres-all-about-fifas-rm1-9-million-fine-against-fam-over-forged-player-documents> accessed 29 October 2025. 

16 Lu Wei Hoong, “Malaysia fans fear Asian Cup blow as Fifa probe casts doubt on naturalised players” (The Straits Times, 1 October 2025) <https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-fans-fear-asian-cup-blow-as-fifa-probe-casts-doubt-on-naturalis ed-players> accessed 29 October 2025. 

17 Ibid. 

18 “Malaysia beat Laos 5-1 in Asian Cup qualifier” (Bernama, 14 October 2025) <https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/10/14/malaysia-beat-laos-5-1-in-asian-cup-qualifiers> accessed 27 October 2025. 

19 Koh Ewe, “Fifa accuses Malaysia of faking foreign-born players’ eligibility” (BBC, 7 October 2025) <https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqxzv75dp4go> accessed 27 October 2025.

20 “Oct 30 D-day for FAM’s appeal over Fifa sanctions” (Bernama, 17 October 2025) <https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/10/17/oct-30-d-day-for-fams-appeal-over-fifa-sanctio ns> accessed 27 October 2025.