FIFA has revealed: The complaint did not simply originate from Vietnam.
According to Mynewshub, their source for the interview is an official from Latin America currently working directly within the FIFA system. This person responded after a Malaysian news site previously published information claiming that AFC Secretary General Windsor Paul John had named Vietnam as the official party to file the complaint.
According to internal FIFA sources, the story is actually much more complicated: "Mr. Erick Thohir proactively requested and sent someone to file the complaint, and indirectly sought out, collected, and forwarded relevant documents to individuals within FIFA."
This source further highlighted a noteworthy detail: “The Vietnamese side did submit an application, as the AFC Secretary General stated. However, the core accompanying documents were provided by individuals hired and arranged by Mr. Erick Thohir.”
This revelation has led Malaysian media to question who the real "mastermind" behind the incident is, especially since regional public attention had previously focused on Vietnam.
The naturalization process in Malaysian football is becoming increasingly complex.
PHOTO: NGOC LINH
"Unexpected motive"
According to Mynewshub 's analysis , the motivation behind the complaint stems from the frustration of Indonesian football leaders with the clear progress of the Malaysian national team. In the eyes of many Indonesian experts, the recent performance of the Malaysian team is considered superior to that of the Indonesian team, a rare occurrence in recent years.
"Furthermore, Erick Thohir is also unhappy with the increasing role of many figures in Malaysia in interfering with and deeply investing in the country's football ecosystem. Some media outlets and online portals in Indonesia – allegedly linked to Erick Thohir – have also continuously published critical and negative articles targeting the Malaysian national team," Mynewshub commented.
The race for leadership in Malaysian football is heating up, with clubs hesitant to use naturalized players.
Previously, Erick Thohir had publicly denied allegations that he was behind the incident, asserting that he did not "orchestrate" or manipulate any complaints related to Malaysia. However, new revelations from internal FIFA sources have complicated the story and raised questions about the true extent of PSSI leadership involvement.
Notably, the incident erupted precisely when the Malaysian national team was preparing for important international tournaments. These off-field disturbances were therefore seen as an attempt to drag the national team into a controversy heavily focused on administrative rather than professional matters.
"In fact, Erick Thohir is no stranger to controversies in Indonesian football governance. Previously, he faced much criticism for simultaneously holding powerful positions within the PSSI, including roles related to refereeing – which were considered inconsistent with FIFA's governance recommendations."
"Although he explained that he wanted to directly oversee the referee reform process, this move was still seen as concentrating power in one individual, raising doubts about transparency and accountability," Mynewshub commented.
Mynewshub reports that PSSI officials do not want Indonesian football to be surpassed by Malaysia.
PHOTO: NGOC LINH
Last October, Erick Thohir continued to stir controversy by publicly questioning FIFA's referee assignments for Indonesia's 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, particularly after their 2-3 defeat to Saudi Arabia. This statement was seen by some as an act of openly pressuring the international football justice system.
Mynewshub concludes: “To date, Erick Thohir and PSSI have yet to issue an official response to the new allegations from the Malaysian media. However, the constant appearance of his name in controversial incidents has led many to believe that the PSSI chairman is not just an observer, but is increasingly becoming a “central figure” in the complex behind-the-scenes dramas of Southeast Asian football.”
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/fifa-he-lo-dao-dien-to-cao-vu-nhap-tich-lau-malaysia-khong-phai-viet-nam-nhan-vat-gay-soc-nang-185260215205606463.htm
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