FIFA tightens, FAM is advised not to be stubborn

Malaysian naturalized players are embroiled in scandal.

The naturalized player scandal continues to put great pressure on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). After reviewing the entire 64-page verdict of the FIFA Appeal Committee, former Deputy Minister of Law Hanipa Maidin frankly advised FAM to end the plan to bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

According to Hanipa, FIFA's decision was presented as a sharp court judgment, with clear reasoning and based on solid legal principles. "It is a well-constructed decision. In my opinion, it is completely convincing," he said.

Hanipa said the details revealed by FIFA exposed a series of serious signs of falsification. He described these actions as “deliberate”, although he still hoped he was being too negative. “If I were FAM’s lawyer, I would advise them to stop immediately. Don’t waste any more time or money. FAM should have the courage to take responsibility and be honest with the people,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Johor Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who has been an outspoken critic of FIFA, has offered to cover all costs if FAM takes the case to CAS. However, that does not change Hanipa's legal assessment.

FIFA’s ruling, announced on November 17, ordered a full investigation into FAM’s internal operations. It also directed the Disciplinary Committee to notify authorities in Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands and Spain. FIFA concluded that there was a “deliberate and coordinated” scheme, which included altering the birth certificates of seven players’ grandparents, and that FAM had submitted these documents as legal documents.

The committee also criticized FAM's suspension of Secretary General Noor Azman Rahman, saying the disciplinary action lacked clarity and was not properly enforced.

Hanipa warned that the incident had seriously damaged the nation’s reputation. He stressed that “lack of integrity remains a chronic disease” in parts of Malaysian sports.

In the face of FIFA's strong reaction and public pressure, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim affirmed that there would be no cover-up. Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh also announced that FAM would not receive any further support until the case was thoroughly handled.

This scandal therefore continues to cast a shadow over Malaysian football, with consequences that are unknown when they will end.

Source: https://znews.vn/fifa-siet-manh-fam-duoc-khuyen-khong-co-chap-post1605122.html