KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to coordinate closely with the Home Ministry (on measures related to the document falsification involving seven national football heritage players, after studying the FIFA Appeal Committee's full written reasoning.
Its minister, Hannah Yeoh, said the ministry is monitoring the case closely, noting that the Home Ministry plays a key role as criminal matters are under its authority.
This follows FIFA's Appeal Committee asking authorities in five countries to investigate.
"The matter is under the Home Ministry's jurisdiction, so we have left it to them. I have contacted the Home Minister (Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) but have not received a response yet. I am also going through FIFA's motivated decision.
"I understand he needs time to study it, and I am confident the Home Ministry will reply in due course," she told reporters after attending the announcement of Skechers' sponsorship of national athletes for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, here Wednesday (Nov 19).
On Tuesday (Nov 18), the FIFA Appeal Committee, in its 63-page motivated decision, instructed its secretariat to notify authorities in Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to determine if criminal proceedings should be initiated.
The committee said falsification is a criminal offence in these countries, and authorities should investigate and take legal action.
Hannah said the Youth and Sports Ministry will also clarify questions involving FAM and FIFA in Parliament on Thursday (Nov 20).
"The ministry will give its statement in Parliament during the 2026 ministry budget debate. All related matters will be addressed then," she added. - Bernama
