SHAH ALAM, Dec 24 — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) lodged a police report at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters today over the alleged falsification of documents involving seven Harimau Malaya heritage players.
FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said this is in line with recommendations made by the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) chaired by former chief justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, following the completion of its probe into the allegation, Berita Harian reported.
“FAM is committed to cooperating with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and respects the legal process underway.
“This underscores FAM’s commitment to integrity, transparency and governance reforms in safeguarding the interests of national football,” he said after lodging the report here today, as quoted by the Malay daily.
Yusoff was accompanied by FAM vice-president and legal committee chairman Datuk Saaran Nadarajah and FAM vice-president and media committee chairman Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin.
On Monday, the national football regulatory body said it would file a police report on the issue of document falsification, as suggested by the IIC.
“The report concerns the falsification of documents submitted to Fifa. We want a thorough investigation into how this could have happened and who is responsible, as recommended by the IIC.”
In September, Fifa suspended seven naturalised Harimau Malaya players for 12 months and fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8 million) after finding false documentation had been used to allow the seven to play in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.
Fifa dismissed an appeal by FAM last month, saying it would launch a formal probe into the association’s internal operations and notify authorities in five countries of potential criminal proceedings. FAM said it would bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The scandal has sparked uproar in Malaysia, with fans and some lawmakers urging action against FAM as well as government agencies for naturalising the players. Last month, FAM suspended its secretary-general and formed the IIC to investigate the allegation.
