KUALA LUMPUR: In what is being described as a "strategic retreat" to safeguard the future of Malaysian football, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) executive committee is expected to tender a collective resignation as early as next week.
Sources close to the governing body said the move is a calculated attempt to prevent a full takeover by a FIFA-appointed normalisation committee.
By stepping down voluntarily, the current leadership aims to initiate an internal "cleansing" process, allowing a temporary committee to oversee a fresh extraordinary election congress.
"The goal is to show FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that FAM is capable of self-correction," a source said.
"If the exco stays and a suspension is imposed, FAM loses all control. By resigning now, they are effectively hitting the reset button on their own terms."
The decision follows a meeting held two weeks ago, where 13 executive committee members weighed the risks of international isolation.
While a small group initially resisted the proposal, consensus eventually shifted towards a "mass sacrifice" to protect the future of the domestic league and the national team.
A press conference to announce the transition is expected by Jan 28.
Previously, AFC had suggested that the FAM exco step down to avoid suspension, which would otherwise result in the association being temporarily administered by FIFA and the continental body.
In November last year, FIFA's appeals committee dismissed appeals from FAM and seven naturalised players - Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel - who were found to have breached Article 22 of the disciplinary code, relating to the forgery and falsification of documents.
FIFA's disciplinary committee had earlier ordered FAM to pay a CHF350,000 (RM1.8 million) fine, while each of the seven players received a CHF2,000 (RM10,600) fine and a 12-month ban from all football-related activities.
FIFA also forfeited Malaysia's results in three international friendly matches last year, awarding 3-0 victories to their opponents - Cape Verde, Singapore and Palestine.
In addition, FAM was ordered to pay a further CHF10,000 (approximately RM51,414) fine.
Further trouble could lie ahead for Harimau Malaya, with the AFC expected to deduct points from their 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, as FAM await the outcome of their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over FIFA's sanctions on the association and the seven heritage players.
Malaysia had also fielded ineligible players in their 2-0 win over Nepal on March 25 and the 4-0 victory against Vietnam on June 10. - NST
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