Fate of FAM, seven heritage players to be decided by CAS end of February

PETALING JAYA - The fate of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven national heritage players over FIFA sanctions will be known after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivers its decision at the end of next month.

This was confirmed by FAM Secretary-General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman when asked about the latest developments in the governing body’s appeal process to CAS.

"(As( For CAS, on Feb 25 and 26, we are awaiting the decision,” Noor Azman said at a press conference following a  Special Meeting of the FAM Executive Committee at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya here today.

Last December, FAM confirmed it had submitted a Statement of Appeal to CAS regarding the FIFA sanctions imposed on the association and the seven heritage players of the Harimau Malaya squad.

Earlier, in September, FIFA confirmed that FAM and seven players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel - were found to have breached Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) over document falsification offences.

Investigations found that FAM had submitted documents believed to be falsified to verify the eligibility of the players, allowing them to feature when Malaysia defeated Vietnam 4-0 in Group F of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers here in June last year.

Following this, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of CHF350,000 (approximately RM1.8 million), while each player was fined CHF2,000 (around RM11,000) and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.CHF is the code for the Swiss franc.

Hopes of having the sanctions reduced were dashed after FIFA’s Appeal Committee on Nov 3 rejected the appeals by FAM and all seven players, thereby upholding the Disciplinary Committee’s decision regarding the serious breach of Article 22 FDC.

However, yesterday, FAM informed that CAS had granted a Stay of Execution requested by the seven players, allowing them to continue their careers and participate in football-related activities until the final appeal decision is made.

Earlier today, all members of the FAM Executive Committee (Exco) for the 2025-2029 term collectively and voluntarily tendered their resignations with immediate effect.

The move was made unanimously, taking into account organisational responsibility and without regard to personal interests or positions, and represents a prudent and principled step in light of the current situation that has drawn public attention, among other aims protecting the integrity of FAM. - BERNAMA