Complete Resignation of Malaysian Football Leadership Following Eligibility Controversy
The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia has collectively resigned following a major scandal involving seven foreign-born players whose naturalisation documents were found to be fraudulent. This unprecedented mass resignation comes after FIFA imposed significant sanctions on the association and suspended the players for one year.
Unanimous Decision to Step Down
All committee members, who were elected just eleven months ago for a four-year term spanning 2025 to 2029, have voluntarily stepped down with immediate effect. In an official statement released on Wednesday, FAM declared that this unanimous decision was made to protect the association's credibility and demonstrate that service to Malaysian football takes precedence over holding office.
The statement emphasised that collective responsibility necessitated action to safeguard the integrity and standing of the association. The resignations are intended to mitigate further consequences for Malaysian football while allowing international governing bodies to conduct thorough reviews of governance and procedural matters without distraction.
FIFA Sanctions and Player Suspensions
The controversy centres on seven players - Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal and Héctor Hevel - who originate from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands and Spain. Malaysian officials had maintained that all seven were eligible under FIFA rules because each supposedly had a Malaysian-born grandparent.
However, FIFA investigators obtained original documents from the players' countries of origin that contradicted these claims. Last September, FIFA fined the association approximately £326,000 and suspended all seven players for one year after determining that fake documents had been filed to support their naturalisation. Each player was also fined individually.
Competitive Impact and Legal Proceedings
The seven players had already represented Malaysia in international competition, including a 4-0 victory over Vietnam in a qualifying match for the 2027 Asian Cup. Despite FIFA rejecting FAM's initial appeal, the association took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
In a significant development, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has temporarily halted the FIFA-imposed ban on the players, allowing them to compete while their appeal is reviewed. No timeline has been announced for a final ruling on this matter.
Governance Review and Future Leadership
The mass resignation will enable FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to conduct comprehensive reviews of governance, administrative and procedural matters within FAM. The association stated that this move aims to restore confidence among supporters, stakeholders and the wider football community, emphasising that institutional credibility is essential to the stability and future development of the sport in Malaysia.
Acting FAM president Mohamad Yusoff Mahadi has confirmed that committee secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman will continue overseeing day-to-day operations. The governing body is expected to convene a congress to appoint a new executive committee, though no specific timeline has been announced for interim leadership arrangements or new elections.
The outgoing leadership has committed to fully cooperating with FIFA, the AFC and other stakeholders during this transitional period. This dramatic development represents one of the most significant governance crises in Malaysian football history, with implications that extend far beyond the immediate sanctions and resignations.
