FAM president apologises to Malaysian fans, pledges reforms after heritage player scandal

FAM president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan (second left) at a press conference after the sixth FAM executive committee meeting for the 2025‑2029 term at Wisma FAM, Petaling Jaya.— Bernama pic

First Published: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2026 6:48 PM MYT

PETALING JAYA, Sept 30 — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will meet the Home Minister to discuss the passport and citizenship status of the seven heritage players embroiled in the document falsification case.

FAM president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said the meeting was important to get the Home Ministry’s clarification, as matters related to citizenship and passport issuance fall outside the jurisdiction of the national football governing body.

“Regarding the passport status of the seven heritage players, I will meet the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Matters relating to citizenship and passport issuance are outside FAM’s jurisdiction.

“So, we will seek clarification and work closely with the Home Ministry to find the best possible solution,” he said at a press conference after the FAM Executive Committee Meeting for the 2025-2029 term at Wisma FAM here today.

Meanwhile, Ab Ghani emphasised that the seven players are currently not eligible to represent the national team following a decision by Fifa barring them from playing for Malaysia.

Earlier in his opening speech, Ab Ghani apologised on behalf of FAM to Malaysian football fans over the document falsification issue involving the seven heritage players last year.

He gave his commitment that such matters would not recur throughout his tenure as FAM president.

“I would like to apologise to all Malaysian football supporters over the document falsification issue involving the seven heritage players last year. As such, I give my commitment that throughout my tenure helming FAM, such an issue will not be allowed to occur again,” he said.

On Sept 26, 2025, Fifa confirmed that FAM and the seven heritage players had violated Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) related to document falsification.

Investigations found that FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the eligibility of the players, allowing them to compete in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers Group F match against Vietnam on June 10, 2025, which Malaysia won 4-0.

As a result, FAM were fined CHF350,000 (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined CHF2,000 (about RM11,000) and suspended for 12 months from all football-related activities.

Earlier, today, the meeting also saw the appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen for the 11 FAM standing committees to ensure every area of the country’s football management and development can be carried out effectively.

Among the committees appointed were the National Football Team Management Committee, Competitions Committee, Legal Committee, Referees Committee, Players’ Status Committee, Media and Marketing Committee and Technical and Development Committee.

Ab Ghani said the appointments were part of the new FAM leadership’s efforts to streamline the governing body’s administration and ensure that each committee could carry out their duties more effectively. — Bernama