Cops receive 45 reports, call in 8 for questioning over 'heritage' players

Police have received 45 reports to date regarding the scandal involving seven “heritage” football players over forged documents.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Rusdi Isa said they are investigating the case as cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

“We have recorded statements from eight people so far to facilitate further investigations," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times this morning.

In a separate report by Berita Harian, Rusdi later said police have recorded statements from nine parties, including the complainant, representatives from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), and officers from the National Registration Department.

He added that information from the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) will be secured if needed.

In December, FAM lodged a police report on the alleged falsification of citizenship documents linked to seven “heritage” players under the national team.

This followed a recommendation by an independent investigation committee (IIC) formed by FAM to investigate the scandal, which hit a roadblock after crucial documents were withheld and implicated parties refused to cooperate.

The “heritage” players issue caused Fifa to sanction FAM and the seven players for submitting falsified documents on the players' ancestral lineage.

The players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel - were found guilty of violating Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) related to document falsification.

On Oct 16 last year, the police said it was not investigating the alleged forgery of documents involving the “heritage” players despite a report lodged by Urimai secretary Satees Muniandy, citing “no elements of a criminal offence”.

'Heritage' players: NRD chief defers comment pending conclusive report

FAM to finally lodge police report over forgery claims

Ramkarpal: Leave no stone unturned in hunt for 'heritage players' culprits

YOURSAY | Expected outcome from toothless 'heritage' players inquiry