Fifa overturns three Malaysia matches amid player eligibility scandal
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is also receiving a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs
[KUALA LUMPUR] Fifa has overturned the results of three Malaysia matches after finding out that ineligible players had been fielded, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said on Wednesday (Dec 17).
It is the latest setback for the national team amid a widening document-forgery scandal.
Fifa suspended seven naturalised players for 12 months, and fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (S$566,639) in September, following a discovery that false documentation had been used to allow them to play in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.
The governing body of world football dismissed an appeal by FAM in November, saying it would launch a formal probe into the association’s internal operations, and notify the authorities in five countries of potential criminal proceedings.
FAM said in response it would bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In its latest decision, Fifa’s disciplinary committee also changed the results of three friendlies the players had appeared in, handing down 0-3 defeats for games against Cape Verde on May 29, Singapore on Sep 4 and Palestine on Sep 8, FAM said.
The association has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs.
Malaysia had drawn 1-1 with Cape Verde, and had beat Singapore and Palestine 2-1 and 1-0, respectively.
“FAM will make a written application to obtain the reasons for the decision from the Fifa disciplinary committee, before considering the next steps to be taken in this matter,” the association said.
Fifa did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours.
The scandal has sparked uproar in Malaysia, with fans and some lawmakers calling for action against FAM as well as government agencies responsible for granting the players’ citizenship.
In November, the association suspended its secretary-general and formed an independent committee to investigate what it called a “technical error”.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed full transparency in domestic probes, but stressed that FAM should be allowed to defend itself. REUTERS
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