KELANA JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has revealed that Fifa will investigate the national body’s suspended secretary-general, Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, over the doctored documentation saga involving seven players that has drawn international attention.
Speaking at a press conference at Wisma FAM this afternoon attended by a select group of media, FAM acting president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said the executive committee had agreed to adopt the recommendations made by the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC), including:
lodging a police report to identify those responsible for the falsification of documents
referring Noor Azman to the disciplinary board
Yusoff said the act of having the documents certified by a public notary based in Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru – some 300km from Wisma FAM – was “not the real issue”.
He also confirmed that one of FAM’s sponsors, Bank Islam, had written to the national body seeking clarification on the matter.
Here are the key highlights from the press conference:
Fifa probes Noor Azman
Yusoff said FAM had received an email from Fifa stating that it intended to investigate Noor Azman’s role in the matter.
“Fifa informed us that it wants to know the process involved in compiling the documents and how they were submitted,” he said.
“Fifa’s investigation will not have a bearing on our disciplinary board hearing.”
FAM suspended Noor Azman on Oct 17 with immediate effect – exactly three weeks after Fifa sanctioned the national body and seven players over allegations of “doctored documentation”.
Why was a Johor Bahru-based public notary used?
Yusoff reiterated that this was “not the real issue”.
“We needed someone to certify the documents. It does not matter where that person is based,” he said.
“It is not unusual.”
He confirmed that the national team’s management is based in Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya, Selangor.
Why was the IIC report removed from FAM’s website?
Yusoff said FAM had “terlepas pandang” (overlooked) when it uploaded the IIC’s findings to its website on Dec 16.
“This was because FAM had yet to submit its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at that point,” he said.
“We will upload it again after the CAS verdict, as it is a public document.”
What’s next for FAM?
FAM is awaiting the outcome of its appeal to CAS. However, Fifa recently overturned the results of three international friendly matches played in Malaysia – against Cape Verde (1–1), Singapore (2–1) and Palestine (1–0) – for fielding ineligible players. The visitors were awarded 3–0 victories. Fifa also ordered FAM to pay a fine of CHF10,000.
This comes on top of sanctions imposed by Fifa in September, which included a CHF350,000 fine on FAM and 12-month bans, along with CHF2,000 fines, on seven 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.
Yusoff said FAM would now be guided by the outcome of its CAS appeal. It remains unclear when the ruling will be delivered.