The Football Association of Malaysia takes action regarding the citizenship scandal

This is regarded as a significant milestone that may directly influence the next path for Malaysian football in one of the most severe legal incidents in the nation's history.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) places high hopes on the independent investigation report expected to be released this month, concerning the case of seven Malaysian national team players suspended by FIFA due to document violations.

According to FAM, the independent investigation committee, established in October and led by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, is currently finalizing the report. FAM's Acting President Datuk Seri Yusoff Mahadi stated that the organization will not make any decisions until the full official conclusions are presented.

The report is expected to clarify issues related to the documentation of the seven naturalized players, who were previously handed suspensions of up to 12 months by FIFA. Additionally, FAM faces heavy financial penalties, highlighting the seriousness of the matter and the strict stance of the global football governing body.

Alongside awaiting the investigation report, FAM has completed the appeal procedures at FIFA and officially escalated the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). FAM's legal team is urgently preparing the necessary documents to meet the CAS submission deadline, expected to be before December 18.

According to FAM leadership, CAS is the final legal avenue the association can pursue. It is an independent body, not directly bound by FIFA, and all rulings issued are final. This means Malaysian football must accept the ultimate outcome, whether favorable or not.

Previously, FIFA upheld the sanctions after the Appeals Committee rejected FAM’s complaint. According to this decision, seven players—Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel—are each suspended for 12 months and fined. This case not only caused a significant loss of players for the Malaysian team but also sparked widespread controversy in the Southeast Asian community.

In the context of Malaysian football striving for reconstruction and long-term goals, the results of the independent report as well as the CAS ruling will play a decisive role in determining the future of both the management system and the national team’s development strategy in the coming years.