Urimai leader lodges police report over 'heritage' players fiasco

An Urimai leader has lodged a police report over the alleged falsification of heritage footballers’ documents, following the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa)’s sanction on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the athletes.

Speaking after lodging the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, Urimai secretary Satees Muniandy alleged that several quarters from the National Registration Department (NRD), Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) may have conspired to falsify the documents. 

“It is very clear that there are parties within FAM and the NRD who have conspired to issue Malaysian citizenship to these seven ‘heritage’ players through unethical practices. 

“This can be seen as an act of treason and betrayal towards the country. If regular citizens did something similar by offering false information to obtain identity cards, they would have immediately faced charges,” he said.

Yesterday, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced in Parliament that he had exercised his power granted under the Constitution to consider the seven “heritage” footballers as fit to be granted Malaysian citizenship.

Under Section 20(1)(e), the home minister is given discretionary power to consider a citizenship application from a foreigner, particularly in the fulfilment of the minimum residency requirements.

According to Saifuddin, the players had displayed sufficient proficiency in the national language as per a basic test by the National Registration Department.

‘Let’s interview them in BM’

However, Satees expressed scepticism that the “heritage” players had fulfilled the requirements under the law, including Bahasa Malaysia proficiency, to be granted citizenship by naturalisation.

“I would like to ask the home minister, is it true that these players are able to speak in Bahasa Malaysia? If it is true, then we should call these players for an interview.

“Local media should conduct interviews with these players in Bahasa Malaysia, and then we shall see if what the minister said is true,” he added.

Satees then urged for an investigation into the matter under Sections 196, 197, 198, 199, and 200 of the Penal Code, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, and other relevant laws. 

He also said that other Urimai members nationwide will lodge police reports to pressure the authorities.

“We urge the police to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, and hope that the investigation will not be one-sided just because a minister might be implicated.

“We also call upon the Inspector-General of Police to carry out his duty, as a public servant who is loyal to the country. Conduct a full investigation and take action," he added.

Falsified birth documents

On Sept 26, Fifa imposed sanctions against FAM and the seven players for breaches of Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code on forgery and falsification.

Fifa said FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility, enabling them to feature in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers against Vietnam on June 10.

In the grounds of its sanctions, the organisation found that the seven players’ grandparents did not originate from Malaysia as claimed by the Malaysian sports body:

• Gabriel Felipe Arrocha - grandparent born in Spain (not Malacca)

• Facundo Tomás Garcés - grandparent born in Argentina (not Penang)

• Rodrigo Julián Holgado - grandparent born in Argentina (not Penang)

• Imanol Javier Machuca - grandparent born in Argentina (not Penang)

• João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo - grandparent born in Brazil (not Johor)

• Jon Irazábal Iraurgui - grandparent born in Spain (not Sarawak)

• Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano - grandparent born in the Netherlands (not Malacca)

However, FAM attributed the problem to a “technical error” in the submission process of documents.

Yesterday, Urimai chairperson P Ramasamy also pointed out that obtaining Malaysian citizenship is often an arduous process, with many waiting for years just for an NRD reply despite being born in Malaysia.

Ramasamy urged FAM to accept responsibility for the matter instead of hiding behind technicalities.

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