KUALA LUMPUR: The National Registration Department (NRD) did not falsify any documents linked to the seven Harimau Malaya players in the mixed‑heritage controversy, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
According to the Home Minister, the birth certificates issued by the NRD were in accordance with the law, adding that FIFA rules set four criteria for national team eligibility.
These are birthplace in the country, parents’ birthplace in the country, grandparents’ birthplace in the country, or five years’ residency in the country.
Saifuddin then said on Thursday (Oct 9) that the NRD Director‑General can register a birth if satisfied with the evidence, including grandparent details where sufficiently proven.
“Under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution there is no need to present grandparents’ birth certificates,” he said.
He said this is only relevant to one of FIFA’s four conditions for heritage players.
The minister said he has not received information on any submission of allegedly falsified documents.
“Either way, we have complied with all legislation on citizenship applications,” he added.
On Monday (October 6), FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that FAM submitted forged documents to register seven heritage players.
FIFA found major discrepancies between original certificates it obtained and those FAM submitted to support eligibility.
The seven players are Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca and Joao Figueiredo.
FIFA found FAM and the players guilty of breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code on forged documents.
FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8mil).
Each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000) and handed a 12‑month suspension.
FAM has refuted the findings, saying the judgment description is inaccurate and the players did not knowingly use forged documents.
In a statement on Tuesday (Oct 7), FAM said FIFA’s claim of players obtaining or knowing of forged documents lacked evidence.
FAM said the issue arose from a wrong submission caused by an administrative error.
It said a staff member mistakenly uploaded documents from an agent instead of official JPN records.
“As explained, the mistake was an administrative error involving the wrong upload,” the statement read.
FAM said an official appeal is being prepared with authentic, government‑certified documents.
