'FAM insiders should take responsibility, not wash their hands and make me the scapegoat' – TMJ
In a post on the social media platform X, His Royal Highness claimed that certain individuals within FAM had attempted to sabotage him and cast him as a scapegoat.
JOHOR BAHRU – The Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail has called on ‘insiders’ within the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to take responsibility following the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision involving seven Harimau Malaya players.
In a post on the social media platform X, His Royal Highness claimed that certain individuals within FAM had attempted to sabotage him and cast him as a scapegoat.
He alleged that these individuals had been unhappy for a long time because they were unable to use their positions for personal gain.
More shockingly, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who is also known as TMJ alleged that some members of the governing body had previously met him in person to request assistance in securing projects and to avoid investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Many were disappointed when the government helped provide funding to the national team. Many were unhappy because they were not involved. So, they quietly met with Ultras Malaya, several members of the media and some individuals on social media to start a sabotage campaign and push various narratives,” he stated.
Last Thursday, CAS partially allowed the appeal of seven Harimau Malaya players against punishments imposed by FIFA over the falsification of naturalisation and eligibility documents.
While CAS ruled that the seven players would still face a 12-month suspension, the ban now applies only to official matches rather than all football-related activities.
CAS also upheld the CHF350,000 fine (approximately RM1.8 million) imposed on FAM, describing the penalty as appropriate and proportionate.
Touching on the technicalities of the case, TMJ stressed that the issue stemmed from the falsification and submission of documents, rather than the players’ actual eligibility for citizenship.
He questioned the actions of certain parties within FAM and a player agent who allegedly failed to submit valid documents from the National Registration Department (NRD).
“Who submitted the wrong documents? The agent and who within FAM? Why weren’t the valid documents from NRD submitted? To protect insiders, the players were blamed,” he questioned.
TMJ also expressed disappointment with what he described as FIFA’s "selective treatment" of the case compared to previous CAS precedents.
He pointed out that in a past instance, a female player who admitted to falsifying documents was only suspended for 10 national team matches and was permitted to continue playing for her club.
“Those inside [FAM] should take responsibility. Do not wash your hands of it and use supporters and the media to make me the scapegoat,” he added.
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