KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of mixed-heritage players and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) footballers again kicked off in the Dewan Rakyat’s debate session on Thursday (Nov 20).
When debating the Supply Bill 2026 for the Youth and Sports Ministry, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said the incident had not only attracted national attention but was now being widely discussed internationally.
“This matter has affected the reputation and good name of the country.
“Recently, we were informed that FIFA’s Appeals Committee, comprising three members, had rejected FAM’s appeal and made very serious and damning findings over the heritage player issue,” he said.
Ramkarpal added that similar findings had been made earlier by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.
Among the conclusions, he said, was that the players involved “could not speak Bahasa Malaysia and did not understand the contents of the documents submitted to support their naturalisation applications”.
“The committee found that the players 'had never resided in Malaysia for the period required before such applications could even be considered’,” he added.
Ramkarpal also shared that FAM intended to file a further appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but questioned the basis of such a move.
“What new material or evidence, different from what has already been submitted, will be brought to CAS?
“If we are just going to submit the same material, then the outcome is likely to be the same. Repeating the same thing and expecting a different result amounts to insanity,” he said.
Ramkarpal also questioned what the consequences Malaysia might face if the appeal failed and whether there was a possibility of the sanctions already imposed being increased.
“Is the Youth and Sports Ministry able to take any action against FAM despite FIFA’s rules prohibiting political interference in football administration?
“What can be done to ensure that something like this never happens again?
“This is extremely embarrassing. Football is apolitical. When we see the development of football in this country dropping to this level, it is very sad,” the lawmaker said.
Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said the scandal had the potential to inflict long-term damage.
“Malaysia could face suspension from international tournaments, our rankings could drop, match results could be cancelled, sponsors could pull out and, most importantly, public trust in football and in institutions like FAM will deteriorate.
“Harimau Malaya is not being defeated on the field but is being defeated by the hands of people who have no integrity,” he said.
The PAS lawmaker also questioned how forged documents could have passed through the system and why no individual had been held accountable.
He added that the suspension of FAM general secretary, Noor Azman Rahman, appeared ineffective.
“It looks like a show because he can still attend official events, including those involving FIFA leadership.
“This is not a technical error. This is a failure of trust and integrity,” he added.
Afnan proposed several actions for the government to address the issue urgently, including forming a National Sports Integrity Task Force to coordinate investigations and establish clear accountability.
The taskforce, he said, should involve the Youth and Sports Ministry, National Registration Department, Home Ministry, police, Attorney General’s Chambers, FIFA representatives and other relevant experts.
He also called for a full forensic audit of FAM to identify weaknesses, systemic failures and individuals responsible and proposed structural reforms within FAM which were necessary to strengthen its governance and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Dungun MP Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli also called for FAM to take full responsibility for the recent scandal over the naturalisation of football players.
“When we enter a country, the law of the land applies. It is similar to football, the law of FIFA applies. We need FAM to take full accountability for the matter.
“This controversy has affected our national team during a recent match between Nepal and Malaysia. The number of supporters has decreased, FAM needs to restore the name of the national team,” he added.
