Malaysia National Team Coach speaks candidly about the citizenship fraud scandal

Malaysian football is undergoing one of its most challenging times ever, with the controversy over falsified player records and harsh FIFA penalties striking a serious blow to the national team’s reputation, success, and prospects.

At the center of this crisis is head coach Peter Cklamovski, who was recently expected to lead the Malaysian National Team into a new era of development.

This punishment forced Coach Cklamovski to completely revise his tactical plans midway. He not only had to rebuild the squad but also restore team cohesion and fighting spirit amid increasing public pressure. Ahead of crucial Asian Cup qualifying matches, the challenges facing the Malaysian National Team are clearly immense.

Speaking to the media, Cklamovski affirmed his continued confidence in the current squad. "All 11 players on the pitch and those on the bench must play with the spirit to defeat any opponent."- Coach Cklamovski told the press. According to him, the fighting spirit and collective determination will be key for Malaysia to overcome this difficult phase. "Right now, I can only wait like everyone else."The Australian coach said when asked about the national team’s fraud scandal.

Furthermore, FIFA annulled Malaysia’s friendly match results this year against Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine, assigning 0-3 losses in all three games. This decision erased Malaysia’s unbeaten streak and dropped the team from 116th to 121st in the FIFA rankings. This was a major shock, impacting not only results but also Malaysia’s football reputation internationally.

The case was uncovered in September when FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee accused the Football Association of Malaysia of violating Article 22 of the disciplinary code, related to falsifying birth certificates to legitimize player origins. Initially, FAM claimed it was a technical error by the administrative department, but the FIFA Appeals Committee in November upheld the sanctions. Currently, CAS is the final legal avenue that FAM and the players can rely on.

In this context, Coach Peter Cklamovski’s mission to rebuild Malaysian football is not just a technical matter but also a test of faith, resilience, and the ability to overcome crisis for the entire football community in the country.