After clearing, FIFA confusingly suspend players and fine FAM
The Tunku Mahkota Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, has questioned FIFA on why it decided to impose a fine on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and suspend seven mixed-heritage footballers over alleged document falsification, despite having previously cleared these players.
Tunku Ismail said FAM has been compliant with the processes and has cooperated with both the global football body and the Malaysian government.
“What led to such a decision? Was there any external party that influenced FIFA’s decision?” he asked in a posting on X, as quoted by FMT today.
He called out FIFA for imposing the fine and suspension without providing solid reasons, and for quickly announcing its decision in a public domain, despite the fact that the appeal process from FAM has yet to be completed.
“Who was in New York? I hope that FAM will appeal this decision immediately,” he said.
Tunku Ismail said Malaysians should not be afraid and bow to “those individuals who are worried about the rise of Harimau Malaya”.
“Fight on. Be brave for being right,” he said.
Yesterday, FIFA’s disciplinary committee said FAM must pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million). Meanwhile, each of the seven players were fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000) and given a 12-month suspension, effective immediately.
The international football body cited breach of Article 22 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which relates to forgery and falsification, in its decision against FAM.
The players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
All seven featured in Malaysia’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on 10 June, after which FIFA received a complaint regarding the eligibility of several of them.
FAM’s acting president, Encik Yusoff Mahadi, said it will appeal against the decision by FIFA, and stressed that the association and the players involved had all acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout the process.
In July, an Indonesian report claimed that Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam on 10 June may be overturned because some of Harimau Malaya’s naturalised players were purportedly ineligible to represent the nation.
The report alleged that the result would be voided and Vietnam would be awarded a 3-0 win.
FAM dismissed the report as baseless, saying it had complied with the necessary procedures for the registration of the players.
Nine of the team’s starting 11 in the game were naturalised players, with five of them – Figueiredo, Holgado, Irazabal, Garces and Machuca – receiving FIFA clearance just hours before kick-off.
End©Permadu
Visit Permadu Malaysia blog at permadumalaysia.blogspot.com
| By Fauzi Kadir Chief Editor
|
Final editing and brought to you by |
1Visiting Permadu Malaysia is absolutely free and we operate with non-profit making objective. We hope you enjoy and feel happy visiting and reading every presentation from us.
If you have the generosity to support our operations and continuous activities of charity to those who are less fortunate, we would be grateful to accept sincere contributions from any individuals or organisations.
Contact us at permadu@gmail.com for further details and information. No obligation and no commitment.
.png)
Comments
Post a Comment