Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Malaysian Football Officials Resign Over Scandal
The leaders of Malaysia's football association quit because of a big problem.
Some players who played for Malaysia might not have been eligible.
They were accused of using fake papers to say they had Malaysian family.
FIFA, the world's football governing body, punished the players and the association.
The association is now trying to fix the problem and has asked for help from other football organizations.
The players have a chance to play again, but it's not clear if they can play for Malaysia again.
The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) resigned to safeguard the association's reputation amid an eligibility scandal.
FIFA suspended seven foreign-born players and fined FAM $400,000 for submitting doctored documents to make them eligible to represent Malaysia.
FIFA launched a probe after receiving a complaint following Malaysia's 4-0 win over Vietnam in a June Asian Cup qualifier.
FAM appealed the sanctions, but FIFA rejected the appeal and issued a scathing report slamming the association for not taking disciplinary action.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) granted the seven players a reprieve pending the outcome of the hearings set for February 25.
- Who
- The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven foreign-born players
- What
- Resignation of FAM executive committee and FIFA sanctions over forged documents for foreign-born players
- When
- Wednesday, with FIFA sanctions in September and December
- Where
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Why
- To safeguard FAM's reputation and mitigate risks from the eligibility scandal
- Organization
- Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)
- Resignation Date
- Wednesday
- FIFA Sanctions
- Seven players suspended, $400,000 fine, three 3-0 defeats in friendlies, $12,500 additional fines
- Players Involved
- Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Brandao Figueiredo
- CAS Hearing Date
- February 25
- Acting President
- Yusoff Mahadi
- AFC General Secretary
- Windsor Paul John