FAM has nothing to fear if rules followed, Saifuddin says amid sanctions

Summary

• Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says FAM has nothing to fear if related processes concerning Harimau Malaya’s heritage players followed existing laws.

• Saifuddin notes the basis for this is Article 19 of the Federal Constitution and Section 10(a) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has assured that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has nothing to fear over claims of doctored papers for Harimau Malaya’s heritage players - as long as related processes followed existing laws.

The minister also highlighted that when it comes to potential violations of the International Federation of Association Football’s (Fifa) disciplinary code, the extent to which relevant processes complied with the Federal Constitution should also be considered.

“If you (FAM) did the right thing… Yes, how do we measure the ‘right thing’? Did it adhere to the Federal Constitution?

“Follow the existing Acts or laws - follow Article 19 of the Federal Constitution (and) Section 10(a) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957. Those are the basis,” Malaysia Gazette quoted him as saying during his monthly assembly with the Home Ministry today.

Article 19 of the Federal Constitution allocates to the federal government the power to grant citizenship, via a certificate of naturalisation, to a person over 21 years of age if the said individual meets certain criteria.

Section 10(a) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, however, refers to the registration of stillborn deaths.

Thorough vetting process

Previously, Saifuddin affirmed that Malaysian football players sanctioned by Fifa received their citizenship after a thorough vetting process in compliance with citizenship laws.

This came after Fifa announced sanctions against FAM and seven players for breaches of Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code on forgery and falsification, with the global football body determining that FAM had submitted “doctored documentation” to field the involved players.

Fifa also determined that FAM must pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million), while each of the seven players was also slapped with a 2,000 Swiss francs fine.

The players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano - were also hit with a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities, effective immediately.

FAM acting president Yusoff Mahadi has since said the local association will be appealing.

FAM secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman, however, pinned the blame on a “technical error” in the document submission process for the seven heritage players involved in Fifa’s probe.

‘Unfair, disrespectful’

Former Harimau Malaya midfielder Liridon Krasniqi claimed that Fifa’s “sudden” decision against FAM is “not just unfair, (but also) disrespectful” to Malaysia, its players and fans, as well as the years of transparent and rule-abiding work.

The Kosovo-born player, who was called up to play for Harimau Malaya in 2021 after receiving his Malaysian citizenship the previous year, took to social media to defend FAM, which he said “had done everything right”.

“Every document, every procedure, every step was followed with the cooperation of our government, FAM, and Fifa themselves. These players were already approved. Now, suddenly, decisions are being changed? Why? By who?” he questioned in an Instagram Story today.

He stressed that now is not the time for division, urging all Malaysians to “stand together,” as “if we don’t defend our own, no one else will”.

“To the Malaysian people, now is the time to stand united. Support our players, team, and flag. We will not bow down to unfairness. We will not let outside pressure stop the rise of Malaysia,” the now-Miami United player added.

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