Police find 'no criminal element' in FAM doctored documents scandal

Police are not investigating the alleged forgery of documents involving Malaysia’s “heritage” football players, citing “no elements of a criminal offence."

Urimai secretary Satees Muniandy, who lodged the police report, said he was informed of the matter via email yesterday.

“Was this police decision made under someone’s instruction? I don’t know.

“However, I do know that the minister who approved the citizenship of the seven individuals is the home minister, who is also responsible for the police,” he added.

Satees lodged the police report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur nearly a week ago, following concerns that individuals in the National Registration Department (NRD), the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) may have colluded in forging documents.

A day earlier, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Parliament that he exercised powers granted under the Constitution to consider granting citizenship to the seven football players.

However, Satees questioned the claim and doubted whether the players truly met the naturalisation requirements, including proficiency in the Malay language.

So quick to close case

In a statement this morning, Satees also expressed surprise over the “hasty closure of the case.”

In fact, he said, the case was closed without even recording his statement as the complainant.

“But my police report was closed without any call for a statement. Is this case so trivial that it doesn't warrant investigation?” he asked.

Satees stressed that his police report was based on the International Federation of Association Football’s (Fifa) investigation results as well as the admission from NRD itself, which stated that the citizenships of the seven players were approved based on documents they submitted.

However, he said, the police showed no interest in investigating and immediately classified the case as non-criminal.

“Who or what influenced this police decision, I don’t know. But I understand that criminal laws in our country are only strict towards the common people,” he added.

Satees also reminded that MPs had made calls for an investigation into the matter in the Dewan Rakyat.

“It seems that the crimes of treason and betrayal of the country are no longer considered wrong when those in power have made their decision,” he lamented.

“What power do I have as an ordinary citizen who only wants to see those who betrayed the trust of the nation brought to justice when law enforcement itself refuses to act?

“Let the people be the witnesses and the judge in this case.”

Fifa sanctions

On Sept 26, Fifa fined FAM and the seven “heritage” players and suspended them for allegedly forging documents proving their blood ties to Malaysia.

Fifa found that the grandparents of the seven players were not from Malaysia, contrary to what was claimed by the local sports body.

Among the seven suspended players are individuals with impressive profiles, having played in top leagues in Latin America and Europe.

The players are: Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal, and Hector Hevel.

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