KUALA LUMPUR: Police have yet to complete investigation papers on a report filed by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) on Dec 24 over allegations of document forgery involving seven national team heritage players.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the investigation was framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
"The investigation also involves cooperation with the National Registration Department to verify the authenticity of identity documents and birth certificates linked to the seven players.
"At present, the investigation papers are being completed and will be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further instructions.
"Strict action will be taken once directives are received from the Attorney-General's Chambers," he said in a written parliamentary reply.
He was responding to Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) who asked about the status of the report.
In a statement on Dec 24, FAM said the report was filed at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters following recommendations from the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) chaired by former chief justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, after the completion of its probe.
In its findings, the IIC urged FAM to immediately lodge a police report, take internal disciplinary action where oversight had failed, and implement structural reforms recommended by the committee.
On Sept 26 last year, FIFA, in an official statement, confirmed that FAM and the seven players were found to have breached Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
FIFA found that FAM had submitted documents believed to have been forged to verify the eligibility of the players.
The national football governing body was fined about 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined about RM11,000.
The seven players were also suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.
On Nov 3, the FIFA Appeal Committee dismissed the appeals by FAM and the players involved, thereby upholding the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Committee.
The players named were Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
In addition, the results of Malaysia's friendly matches against Cape Verde, Singapore and Palestine were overturned, with FIFA awarding 3-0 victories to the opponents for fielding ineligible players.
FAM later submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the sanctions imposed by Fifa.
CAS allowed a temporary stay of execution on the suspensions of the seven players pending a decision on the appeal.
It later fixed Feb 26 for a full hearing in case. - NST
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