KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has appointed former chief justice Tun Md Raus Sharif as the chairman of an independent committee to investigate documentation issues involving seven Harimau Malaya heritage players who were sanctioned by the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa).
It reiterated its stand that no individual within FAM would be involved in the investigation, to ensure the process is carried out fairly, transparently, and professionally.
Raus has also been given the mandate to select the members of the independent committee.
“Based on his credibility and extensive experience, FAM hopes that Tun Md Raus, together with the committee members he will appoint, will be able to conduct a thorough investigation,” it said in a statement today.
Last month, Fifa handed 12-month suspensions and fines of 2,000 Swiss francs (RM10,560) each to seven heritage players — Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
Fifa's Disciplinary Committee imposed the sanctions after the players were found to have breached Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) relating to document falsification, with FAM itself fined 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8 million).
The outcome of FAM’s appeal against the fines and suspensions is expected to be known on Thursday (October 30).
