Tan Sri Haji Hamidin Mohd Amin, President of Football Association of Malaysia, has reiterated the importance of verifying claims about foreign players allegedly having Malaysian heritage.
This comes in light of Burnley FC captain Josh Brownhill’s recent statement debunking rumors that he has Malaysian roots.
Addressing widespread speculation on social media, Brownhill clarified his nationality in a public statement:
“Just wanted to address some of the rumours that have been circulating. Unfortunately, my only nationality is English, and I am not a Malaysian as some people may think.”
This statement puts an end to the excitement among Malaysian football fans, who had hoped the Burnley midfielder could be eligible to represent the national team. Brownhill’s remarks underline the risks of spreading unverified information.
The FAM had already cautioned against false rumors earlier this year. In an interview with MakanBola in May, Tan Sri Hamidin dismissed similar reports about other players purportedly linked to Malaysia.
“Most of the [news about heritage players] on social media is not true and is not even of Malaysian blood,” Hamidin stated.
The FAM had contacted players such as Dutch striker Ferdy Druijf, but efforts to confirm their Malaysian heritage yielded no results. Hamidin emphasized the importance of due diligence:
“There must be checks. For example, Ferdy Druijf—my exco has been in touch, but until now, he has not responded. He may not even be of Malaysian blood. A lot of information is false.”
Brownhill is not the first high-profile player to refute claims of Malaysian ancestry. In May, Isaac Hayden, a midfielder for Newcastle United, also denied having any ties to Malaysia.
The string of unverified rumors has led to increased frustration among fans and officials. Many are calling for greater responsibility in sharing information on social media platforms to avoid raising false hopes.
The excitement over heritage players is understandable, as they are often seen as a potential boost to the national team. However, the FAM has repeatedly urged caution, warning fans not to take speculative posts at face value.
Hamidin also emphasized that the association is actively exploring genuine opportunities to recruit heritage players who qualify to represent Malaysia, but thorough checks are essential before making announcements.
Credit Photo : FAM
