KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) – The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) resigned on Wednesday following a scandal involving the naturalization of seven foreign-born players. FIFA sanctionscourt appeals and increased oversight of the country’s football governance.
All committee members elected 11 months ago for the 2025-2029 term have resigned with immediate effect by a unanimous and voluntary decision to protect the integrity of the association.
The mass resignations followed FIFA’s decision last September to fine the federation about $450,000 and suspend seven players for one year after determining that they had submitted false documents to support their naturalization. Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jón Irazabal and Hector Jeber were also individually fined.
The seven players, from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands and Spain, played for the Malaysian national team as Malaysia defeated Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Malaysian authorities had argued that all seven players were eligible under FIFA rules because each player’s grandparents were born in Malaysia. But FIFA said investigators had obtained original documents from the players’ countries of origin that contradicted these claims.
FAM said in a statement on Wednesday that the committee is elected for a four-year term covering the period 2025-2029 and the decision to step down after just 11 months shows that service to Malaysian football takes precedence over holding office.
The mass resignations were said to be aimed at protecting the association’s reputation and mitigating any further impact on Malaysian football. This will allow FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to review governance, management and procedural issues within FAM and ensure that any reforms can be undertaken without distraction or the appearance of conflicts of interest.
“The Executive Committee recognizes the importance of collective responsibility and the need to act in a manner that protects the integrity and standing of the association,” the statement said.
FAM said the measures were aimed at restoring trust among supporters, stakeholders and the broader football community, stressing that institutional credibility is essential for the stability and future development of the sport in Malaysia. The outgoing coach will cooperate fully with FIFA, AFC and other stakeholders. No interim leadership or new election schedule has been announced.
FAM Acting Chairman Mohammad Yusof Mahdi told local media that Commission Secretary-General Noor Azman Rahman will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the governing body, which will convene a parliament to appoint a new executive committee.
After FIFA rejected FAM’s appeal l, the case was brought to the Swiss-based Supreme Court of Sport. FAM announced on Tuesday that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has temporarily suspended the The ban imposed by FIFA has been suspended. Players can be added up and compete while their appeal is being reviewed. He did not say when a final verdict is expected.
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