FAM to seek passport and citizenship clarity on heritage players

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan has apologised to Malaysian supporters over the document falsification case involving seven heritage players and pledged to prevent a repeat during his tenure. He also plans to meet Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to seek clarification on the players’ passport and citizenship status.

Speaking after an FAM executive committee meeting at Wisma FAM in Petaling Jaya on 30 September, Ab Ghani said those matters were outside the association’s authority. He said the seven players are currently not eligible to represent Malaysia following a Fifa decision barring them from playing for the national team.

FAM seeks clarity on players’ status

“Matters relating to citizenship and passport issuance are outside FAM’s jurisdiction,” Ab Ghani said. He said FAM would work with the Home Ministry to find the best possible solution.

Ab Ghani made his apology in his opening speech at the executive committee meeting. “I would like to apologise to all Malaysian football supporters over the document falsification issue involving the seven heritage players last year,” he said, adding that he would not allow such an issue to recur while he led FAM.

The case dates back to Fifa’s confirmation on 26 September 2025 that FAM and the seven players had violated Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code, which concerns document falsification. Investigations found that FAM had submitted falsified documents to establish the players’ eligibility.

Those documents allowed the players to take part in Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers Group F match against Vietnam on 10 June 2025. Malaysia won that match 4-0.

Sanctions and changes at FAM

FAM were fined CHF350,000, approximately RM1.8 million. Each of the seven players was fined CHF2,000, approximately RM11,000, and suspended for 12 months from all football-related activities.

The executive committee meeting also appointed chairmen and deputy chairmen for 11 FAM standing committees. They include committees covering national team management, competitions, legal matters, referees, players’ status, media and marketing, and technical development.

What happens next

Ab Ghani said the appointments were intended to streamline FAM’s administration and help its committees carry out their duties more effectively. Separately, his planned discussion with the Home Minister is intended to clarify the players’ citizenship and passport status; he maintained that FAM cannot determine those matters itself.