SOCCER: FIFA overturns three Malaysia matches amid player eligibility scandal

KUALA LUMPUR — FIFA has overturned the results of three Malaysia matches after determining that the team fielded ineligible players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said on Wednesday, marking the latest setback amid a widening document forgery scandal.

In September, FIFA suspended seven naturalized players for 12 months and fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs ($439,257) after discovering that false documentation had been used to allow the players to compete in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.

World soccer’s governing body later dismissed an appeal by FAM and said it would launch a formal investigation into the association’s internal operations. FIFA also said it would notify authorities in five countries over potential criminal proceedings linked to the case.

FAM responded by saying it would bring the matter before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Malaysia Handed 3–0 Defeats in Friendlies

In its latest ruling, FIFA’s disciplinary committee also amended the results of three international friendlies in which the ineligible players appeared — against Cape Verde on May 29, Singapore on September 4, and Palestine on September 8, according to FAM.

“All three matches were declared lost by forfeit (3–0), and FAM was sanctioned with a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs. The decision remains subject to appeal,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

Malaysia had previously drawn 1–1 with Cape Verde and recorded victories of 2–1 over Singapore and 1–0 against Palestine.

“FAM will submit a written request to obtain the full reasons for the decision from FIFA’s disciplinary committee before determining the next steps,” the association said.

The controversy has sparked widespread outrage in Malaysia, with fans and some lawmakers calling for action against FAM as well as government agencies involved in granting citizenship to the players.

Last month, FAM suspended its secretary-general and established an independent committee to investigate what it described as a “technical error.”

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged full transparency in domestic investigations but emphasized that FAM should be given the opportunity to defend itself.

($1 = 0.7968 Swiss francs)

-Reporting by Rozanna Latiff, Additional reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena; Editing by Peter Rutherford and Christian Radnedge/Reuters