The Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) appointed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has stopped short of identifying those responsible for the alleged falsification of documentation involving seven Harimau Malaya heritage players, but its findings have laid bare serious governance shortcomings within Malaysian football’s top body.
In a comprehensive 59-page report, the IIC confirmed that it could not conclusively establish who falsified the disputed documents, citing non-cooperation from the Public Notary involved and the inability to trace the players’ agent despite “reasonable efforts” being undertaken.
Yet the committee’s conclusion is far from exculpatory.
Instead, the investigation revealed serious failures in oversight, due diligence and administrative control within FAM, which allowed the case to escalate to FIFA level without timely detection or intervention — a lapse that has now carried severe sporting and financial consequences.
The IIC strongly urged FAM to take immediate corrective action, including lodging a police report, initiating internal disciplinary measures and implementing wide-ranging structural reforms.
“These actions are critical to prevent a recurrence and to restore the credibility and integrity of FAM’s operations,” the report stated, stressing that the FIFA case involving FAM and the seven players is a matter of public interest and should be disclosed transparently.
FAM confirmed it received the report, chaired by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, at 3.30pm on Monday.
In response, the FAM Executive Committee will convene a special meeting on December 22 to deliberate on the findings before determining its next course of action — a meeting that could shape the future governance framework of Malaysian football.
Among the most significant recommendations is a call for FAM’s Disciplinary Committee to initiate internal proceedings against Secretary-General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, specifically to assess whether he failed to meet the required standard of oversight and due diligence.
However, the IIC was careful to clarify that this recommendation is “without prejudice” and does not imply any personal involvement in document falsification.
Beyond individual accountability, the IIC highlighted that the FIFA sanctions exposed deeper structural flaws — including weak documentation procedures, inadequate agent oversight, insufficient verification protocols and ineffective supervisory mechanisms.
To rebuild trust, protect the integrity of Malaysian football and align with international governance standards, the committee stressed that reform is no longer optional but essential.
The IIC report comes against the backdrop of FAM’s ongoing appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following FIFA’s decision to uphold sanctions related to the seven heritage players:
Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
FIFA fined FAM CHF350,000 (approximately RM1.8 million), while each player received a 12-month suspension and a CHF2,000 fine, following the release of FIFA’s 64-page Appeal Committee reasoning on 3 November.
While CAS will determine the legal outcome, the IIC report has already framed this episode as a defining governance moment for FAM — one that demands accountability, transparency and long-overdue reform if Malaysian football is to move forward with credibility on the international stage.
Credit Photo : FAM
