PETALING JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) say they are prepared to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), pending approval from their legal team.
For now, FAM have requested the grounds for judgement from FIFA, which will be reviewed by their legal counsel led by Serge Vittoz.
FAM acting president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi acknowledged that CAS represent the final option, but stressed that the association intend to fight the case to the very end.
“For now, we are waiting for the grounds of judgement (written). FAM are considering going to CAS – that is our intention. But before doing so, we will leave it to our lawyers to advise us,” he said.
“They will know what is best for FAM.”
Yusoff also responded to mixed public reactions, noting that while some have urged FAM to accept FIFA’s appeal decision, others want the association to pursue all available options.
“We want to exhaust every legal avenue to prove our innocence,” he said. “FAM remain steadfast in defending the rights of our players and the interests of Malaysian football at the international level.”
On Monday, FIFA rejected FAM’s appeal and upheld all sanctions – including a 12-month suspension for seven players and a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8 million) against the national body.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) have formed a Special Task Force to investigate allegations of irregularities in the verification of identification documents and compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the citizenship process of seven heritage Malaysian football players.
