Audio By Carbonatix
FIFA overturned the results of three Malaysia matches after finding they had fielded ineligible players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said on Wednesday, in the latest setback for the team amid a widening document forgery scandal.
FIFA had suspended seven naturalised players for 12 months and fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs ($439,257) in September after finding false documentation had been used to allow them to play in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.
World soccer's governing body 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 in response it would bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
MALAYSIA HANDED 3-0 DEFEATS IN FRIENDLIES
In its latest decision, FIFA's disciplinary committee also changed the results of three friendlies the players had appeared in -- against Cape Verde on May 29, Singapore on September 4 and Palestine on September 8, FAM said.
"All three matches were declared lost by forfeit (score of 3-0) and FAM was sanctioned with a fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs. The decision remains subject to appeal," a FIFA spokesperson said.
Malaysia had drawn 1-1 with Cape Verde and earned 2-1 and 1-0 wins over Singapore and Palestine.
"FAM will make a written application to obtain the reasons for the decision from the FIFA disciplinary committee before considering the next steps to be taken in this matter," the association said.
The scandal has sparked uproar in Malaysia, with fans and some lawmakers calling for action against FAM as well as government agencies responsible for granting the players' citizenship.
Last month, the association suspended its secretary-general and formed an independent committee to investigate what it called a "technical error".
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed full transparency in domestic probes, but stressed that FAM should be allowed to defend itself.
Latest Stories
-
Agri-Impact Group Founder Daniel Acquaye appointed Chairman of CSIR–Crops Research Institute board
15 minutes -
Gold Fields Ghana gifts Mehuntem Community with 40,000-litre water system
22 minutes -
King Charles’ brother, Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office as King says ‘law must take its course’
25 minutes -
CDD calls for independent anti-corruption commission in the one-year review of Mahama administration
30 minutes -
Ecobank rewards over 4,000 customers in ‘5-Star Enjoyment’ Promo grand finale in Kumasi
38 minutes -
Police arrest alleged drug kingpin in Bono Region narcotics operation
44 minutes -
CDD flags bail and pre-trial detention controversies in assessment of Mahama’s one-year administration
1 hour -
Drivers’ union tours Kinbu-Tudu Street; commends Accra Mayor for traffic relief efforts
1 hour -
CDD flags violence, governance gaps and legal loopholes in assessment of one-year of Mahama administration
1 hour -
CDD warns of ‘backdoor’ criminal libel; slow pace on key accountability reforms
1 hour -
The Myth of Benevolence: Deconstructing the benefits of colonialism in Ghana
1 hour -
NAM 1 tells court BoG guided Menzgold operations
1 hour -
CDD raises red flag over GH₵20,000 gift threshold in ministers’ code
2 hours -
Deputy CEO of EPA rides to work, sparks debate on safety and clean transport
2 hours -
NSA and UNFPA unveil work readiness programme to train 150,000 graduates annually
2 hours
