KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (Mahar) has strongly condemned FIFA’s decision to suspend seven Malaysian football players and fine the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), calling the move unjust and hypocritical.
Mahar president Jismi Johari said while his organisation respects the integrity of sports regulations, it cannot remain silent in the face of what it views as blatant hypocrisy.
“The swift and public announcement of sanctions against our players — even while the FAM has stated it will appeal the decision, arguing that it had acted in good faith and that FIFA had previously confirmed the players’ eligibility — shows a questionable motive behind this action.
“It stands in stark contrast to FIFA’s deafening silence and inaction regarding the Israeli football team, which continues to participate in international competitions despite overwhelming evidence of ongoing genocide and gross human rights violations committed by their government,” he said in a statement today.
On Friday, the FAM and seven players were sanctioned by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code on forgery and falsification.
FIFA said the FAM submitted doctored documentation in eligibility enquiries in order to field the players in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers against Vietnam on June 10.
Jismi said calls for sanctions, similar to those imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, which took FIFA only four days to decide, have been repeatedly ignored by FIFA.
He said the inaction makes it clear that FIFA’s principles are not guided by justice or humanitarian values, but by political convenience and a disturbing tolerance for grave injustices.
“This is not just about football; it is about humanity and the fundamental principles of fairness and justice that sports are supposed to embody. How can an organisation that claims to be a global beacon of fair play turn a blind eye to genocide while punishing Malaysian players for a bureaucratic transgression?
“The speed with which this verdict was delivered and publicised, pre-empting the due process of FAM’s appeal, raises serious questions about whether this is a genuine disciplinary action or a politically motivated one. This is a moral failure of the highest order,” he said.
He said Mahar stands in full solidarity with the affected Malaysian players and the FAM, and urges FIFA to immediately reconsider its disproportionate sanctions.
“More importantly, we call on FIFA to demonstrate true moral leadership and take meaningful action against the Israeli football association until the state of Israel ceases its genocidal actions and complies with international law.
“A failure to do so will solidify FIFA’s reputation as an organisation that prioritises political interests over human lives and the very values it purports to uphold,” he said.
Jismi said Mahar, along with other humanitarian bodies and concerned citizens worldwide, will continue to advocate for a just and equitable application of international rules, both on and off the field.
