KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry has reiterated that the citizenship applications of seven naturalised “heritage players” were processed in strict accordance with Malaysian law, despite renewed scrutiny following FIFA’s detailed explanation for upholding sanctions against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the players.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said all applications were handled under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution, the Citizenship Rules 1964 and the National Registration Department’s standard operating procedures, echoing the earlier clarification by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the latest revelations by FIFA’s Appeal Committee, which disclosed its written grounds for maintaining penalties imposed for alleged document falsification, now fall squarely within the jurisdiction of FIFA and FAM.
“Any further action is subject to the regulations and measures set by the international football body.
“I do not intend to provide any other explanation as I do not wish to contradict the minister,” he said during the ministry’s winding-up of the 2026 Supply Bill at the committee stage on Wednesday (Nov 26).
FIFA’s final decision on Nov 3 affirmed disciplinary findings that FAM and the seven players had relied on falsified birth certificates to claim Malaysian ancestry.
The investigation found that FAM listed the players’ grandparents as being born in Malaysian territories, but records obtained from Spain, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands showed otherwise.
Saifuddin had previously insisted, on Sept 30, that the citizenship approvals were granted lawfully after due vetting under Article 19(1) of the Constitution.
Responding to a query from Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) on the ministry’s latest position following the new developments, Shamsul Anuar said updates would be announced when available.
Earlier in his debate, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim urged the government to immediately establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the alleged falsification of citizenship documents involving FAM and the seven players, calling it a matter that has “shamed the nation” and tarnished the integrity of civil servants.
He argued that the scandal had damaged the ministry’s reputation and said an RCI was necessary to avoid any perception of conflict of interest, as the police fall under KDN.
“Investigations must determine whether there was document falsification in the citizenship applications and approvals, how the applications were approved so quickly when ordinary Malaysians wait years, and why the mandatory requirement of Malay-language proficiency was not applied,” he said.
He added that the inquiry should also examine whether the citizenship grants contravened regulations and compromised national security protocols, as well as scrutinise the truth behind the minister’s claim that the Federal Constitution grants the Home Minister discretion in such approvals.
In September, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8mil), while the seven players were each fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM10,600) and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.
The seven players are Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
