Tunku Ismail: FIFA official advises FAM not to appeal to CAS.
JDT owner said advice was passed on to Tan Sri Hamidin; FIFA warned of the risk of suspension. Nevertheless, FAM has filed an appeal with CAS, with the deadline for submission being December 18.
Tunku Ismail said that an official from the World Football Federation (FIFA) advised the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) not to take the case of the seven players of heritage origin to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Despite warnings of the risk of suspension, FAM filed the application and had to complete the legal documentation by December 18th.
Speaking at a meeting with Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) fans on December 10, the owner of JDT said that this "advice" was conveyed to the Honorary President of FAM, Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin.
“You can ask Tan Sri Hamidin directly. Someone from FIFA told him not to take the case to CAS. That’s very strange, and I don’t understand why,” Tunku Ismail said. He added that FIFA did not prohibit the case, but warned of the risk of suspension and more serious consequences if FAM continued to sue.
"We're still going. We don't know whether we'll win or lose, but we'll see it through to the end," Tunku Ismail affirmed.
Milestones and financial sanctions
| Time/Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| 3/11 | FIFA's Appeals Committee released its 64-page ruling, upholding its decision to reject the appeals of FAM and seven players. |
| FAM fine | 350,000 CHF (approximately 1.8 million RM). |
| Player penalties | Banned from competing for 12 months; fined 2,000 CHF each. |
| FAM's move | FAM's interim chairman, Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, said FAM has officially filed a complaint with CAS. |
| CAS deadline | CAS set a deadline of December 18 for FAM to submit all necessary legal documents. |
Seven players involved
- Gabriel Palmero
- Facundo Garces
- Rodrigo Holgado
- Imanol Machuca
- Joao Figueiredo
- Jon Irazabal
- Hector Hevel
Immediate significance
Tunku Ismail's statement highlights the tension surrounding FAM's "legacy" case: on one side, there are warnings of the risk of suspension if they pursue the case, and on the other, a determination to see it through to the end. Ahead of the December 18 deadline set by CAS, FAM's focus will be on completing its legal defense against the sanctions upheld by FIFA's Appeals Committee on November 3.