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THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will initiate an investigation into allegations of document forgery involving the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven national players, following disciplinary action by FIFA.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that he has directed his investigation team, led by Director of Investigations Datuk Zainul Darus, to communicate with FIFA to clarify the matter.
“I will send my officers from the investigation division to meet or communicate with FIFA as soon as possible to understand the issue. If we find any criminal offence within our jurisdiction, MACC will investigate,” Azam said in an interview with Buletin TV3.
He clarified that no formal complaint has been lodged with MACC, but the commission is acting based on public interest and media reports, particularly the official statement from FIFA.
“There is no formal report, but the matter has entered the public domain. When an issue becomes widely known to the public, MACC does not need to wait for an official complaint before taking action,” he added.
The controversy erupted after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found FAM and seven players guilty of breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, relating to the falsification of documents used to verify player eligibility.
The players implicated are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano. All featured in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match against Vietnam on 10 June.
FIFA stated that forged documents were submitted by FAM to secure eligibility for the players to participate in official matches. As a result, FAM was fined CHF350,000 (RM1.8 million).
Each of the seven players has also been fined CHF2,000 (RM10,560) and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months, effective immediately.
FIFA has referred the matter concerning the players' eligibility to represent Malaysia to its Football Tribunal for further review. - September 27, 2025
