FAM executive committee members resign en masse

 

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), which has been mired in a controversy involving heritage players, announced that all members of its executive committee for the 2025–2029 term have tendered their resignations with immediate effect.

“This decision was taken unanimously, with due regard to institutional responsibility and without consideration of personal interests or positions.

“It is a measured and principled step taken in response to recent developments that have attracted significant public attention and external scrutiny,” FAM said in a statement.

FAM said the executive committee recognises the importance of collective responsibility and the need to act in a manner that protects the integrity and standing of the association.

The association said the resignations are intended to serve the following objectives:

1. To safeguard the reputation and institutional interests of FAM and to mitigate the risk of further adverse consequences that could affect Malaysian football as a whole.

2. To uphold the principles of good governance and accountability, particularly in circumstances where public confidence must be preserved.

3. To provide the appropriate space for the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to independently assess, review, and, where necessary, address governance, administrative, and procedural matters within FAM.

4. To ensure that any necessary reforms may be undertaken without distraction or perceived conflicts, and with a renewed basis of trust.

5. To demonstrate that service to Malaysian football takes precedence over tenure of office, notwithstanding the four-year mandate granted for the 2025–2029 term, which has been relinquished voluntarily after 11 months.

6. To restore confidence among supporters, stakeholders, partners, and the wider football community. Maintaining institutional credibility is essential to the stability, sustainability, and future development of Malaysian football.

FAM said the outgoing executive committee affirmed its full cooperation with Fifa, the AFC, and all relevant stakeholders, and reiterates its commitment to the long-term interests of Malaysian football.

Suspended players to resume playing

Yesterday, FAM announced that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had allowed the seven heritage players who were suspended to resume playing, after granting their submission for a stay of execution.

The seven ‘heritage’ players

“This decision means that the 12-month suspension from all football-related activities imposed by Fifa on the seven Harimau Malaya players is temporarily lifted.

“(The players) are allowed to continue their careers and participate in any football-related activities until CAS makes a final decision on the appeal,” FAM added.

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Fifa had previously launched an investigation into FAM and the seven players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.

On Sept 26 last year, Fifa confirmed that the players were guilty of violating Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) related to document falsification.

The global football body’s investigation found that FAM had submitted allegedly falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility, allowing them to compete in the third-round match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers on June 10, where Malaysia won 4-0 against Vietnam.

As a result, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.

Following the Fifa Appeal Committee’s Nov 3 rejection of an appeal filed by FAM and the players, which claimed a technical error, FAM submitted its statement of appeal to CAS on Dec 8. - Mkini