KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh clarified that any potential criminal offences linked to the forged documents involving seven Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) ‘heritage players’ fall under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry.
The issue, which has gained global attention following FIFA’s recent sanctions on FAM and its directive for multiple countries to be notified, will be further addressed in Parliament tomorrow.
Speaking to reporters after witnessing the announcement of Skechers as the official footwear partner for Team Malaysia at the 33rd SEA Games at Skechers Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Hannah said she had already communicated with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution regarding the matter.
“For the criminal aspect, that is under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry. I have contacted the Home Minister, but I have not yet received a response because I just contacted him. I think we should give him time to review it as well,” she said.
Her remarks came after FIFA’s appeal committee, on Nov 3, upheld sanctions against FAM and ordered a formal investigation into its internal processes.
The probe centres on forged documents used for seven heritage players: Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
In its written reasoning earlier this week, FIFA stated that the investigation must examine the roles of FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman and two licensed FIFA agents, Nicolas Puppo and Frederico Moraes, emphasising that “their involvement raises serious concerns that merit thorough scrutiny.”
FIFA further instructed its secretariat to notify authorities in Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia, stressing that forgery constitutes a criminal offence in all these jurisdictions.
FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8 million), while each of the seven players received a 12-month suspension and a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs.
Hannah said her ministry would refrain from making any premature statements ahead of her parliamentary winding-up session tomorrow.
“I am currently reviewing the judgment by FIFA regarding FAM’s appeal. All of this will be answered in Parliament tomorrow,” she added.