FIFA requests criminal investigation into illegal Malaysian naturalization case
FIFA maintains the November 3 sanctions on seven naturalized players, transfers files to criminal authorities in Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia, and investigates three friendly matches.
FIFA has ordered a criminal investigation into the falsification of naturalization documents involving the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), and has maintained the sanctions imposed on November 3 on the case involving seven naturalized players. The documents will be forwarded to the competent authorities in Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. In parallel, FIFA's appeals committee has ordered a formal investigation into the internal operations of FAM and the use of ineligible players in three friendly matches.
Developments and decisions from the FIFA appeals committee
FIFA's appeals committee has upheld sanctions imposed on November 3 in connection with the seven naturalized players scandal, according to a decision announced on November 3. The official investigation is aimed at clarifying the circumstances of the players' involvement, assessing FAM's compliance and determining whether further disciplinary measures are necessary.
"Finally, given the nature and seriousness of the offences - in particular the falsification of official documents - the committee has instructed the secretariat to take the necessary steps to notify the competent criminal authorities in Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia," the statement said. "Forgery is a criminal offence in these jurisdictions and it is imperative that the competent authorities be notified so that appropriate investigations and criminal proceedings can be initiated," FIFA stressed.
Investigation scope: from papers to the field
- Identify the individual responsible for falsifying documents related to the players.
- Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of FAM's internal governance and compliance mechanisms.
- Consider further disciplinary action against FAM officials.
- Separate investigation into the fielding of ineligible players in the context of three friendly matches cited in the minutes.
Milestones of the case
| Mold | Content |
|---|---|
| 03/11 | FIFA appeals committee upholds sanctions relating to seven naturalized players. |
| Afterward | Directed to open an internal investigation of FAM into governance, compliance and the use of ineligible players. |
| Present | Requires notification to criminal authorities in Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. |
Published documents and controversial details
The motivated decision, published on the FIFA appeals committee website, has raised questions about the FAM’s operations. According to the document, it advised the secretariat to conduct its own investigation into the fielding of ineligible players in three friendlies.
In addition, the report released by FIFA also noted the incident where a Malaysian player "mistakenly stated" his grandparents' nationality during the hearing, raising further doubts about the authenticity of his naturalization records.
Significance for Malaysian football
The current line of investigation goes beyond the verification of documents and also examines FAM’s governance and compliance structures. If it is concluded that there has been systematic misconduct, FIFA may consider further disciplinary action against the officials involved. From a legal perspective, the notification to the competent authorities in the five countries opens up the possibility of investigations and criminal proceedings under local law.
The immediate focus is to clarify how the seven naturalized players were registered and used, especially in the three friendly matches mentioned in the minutes. FIFA said it will continue to investigate the case of FAM and the aforementioned naturalized players to fully determine responsibility and the level of further action.
