Malaysia PM Anwar vows no cover-up in probe into soccer forgery scandal | USAEMALL.com

PLAYERS BANNED FOR 12 MONTHS

The players were given a 12-month ban in September after FIFA found that false documentation had been used so they could play in an Asian Cup qualifier for Malaysia against Vietnam.

The findings sparked outrage in Malaysia, with fans and some lawmakers calling for action to be taken against officials at FAM and government agencies involved in issuing citizenship documents.

Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh told parliament on Thursday the ministry had no power to sack FAM officials, as any government interference in national football bodies risked triggering a FIFA suspension – a move that would affect not only the senior national team, but the entirety of Malaysian football, including its youth and women’s squads.

“I understand the public anger, but I have to abide by the current process and the findings made by FIFA so far involving the seven players,” Yeoh said.

The ministry has, however, proposed not to give additional funding to FAM pending the outcome of the committee’s investigation, which would be led by a top former Malaysian judge, she said.

A report by FIFA’s appeals committee showed how Facundo Garces, Gabriel Arrocha, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel – all born outside Malaysia – were granted Malaysian nationality in a process supervised by FAM.

While the players said their grandparents were born in Malaysia, FIFA said it was able to obtain birth certificates that had significant discrepancies with those submitted by FAM.