FAM insiders strongly react to calls for a 'clean sweep' of the executive board

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is confronted with intense criticism and demands for the entire board to resign after the controversy involving seven naturalized players, yet internally it is considered unjust.

Calls demanding that members of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Executive Committee resign following the scandal related to the dossiers of seven naturalized players are deemed “unfair” at this time.

According to a source from a FAM Commissioner, the organization is still in the process of appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the sanction imposed by FIFA, while awaiting the outcome of the domestic authorities’ investigation.

“The Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) has completed its report and recommended that FAM file a police report. FAM has done so, and the police are currently investigating. Therefore, let this process conclude before any decisions are made. Once there is an official conclusion, the FAM Executive Committee will convene to determine the next steps,” the source stated.

Previously, football expert Zakaria Rahim suggested that the entire FAM leadership should resign to “rebuild” the management system, aiming to restore trust and credibility in Malaysian football. He believed the leaders should share responsibility following the fraudulent documentation involving seven foreign-born players.

Last week, FAM filed a report at the Petaling Jaya Police headquarters concerning the forgery of documents related to the mentioned group of players. Acting FAM President Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi confirmed this step complies with the recommendation of the IIC, led by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif.

The 59-page IIC report not only urged FAM to cooperate with the investigation but also proposed organizational restructuring, strengthening internal oversight, and rebuilding the reputation of the national football governing body.

Earlier, in September, FIFA decided to suspend the seven players for 12 months and imposed fines on Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel. FAM was also fined 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately 11.5 billion VND).