KUALA LUMPUR – The Home Ministry (KDN) has dismissed concerns over alleged government interference in the ongoing Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)-FIFA crisis.
The ministry’s response follows warnings from critics and sports observers, who urged authorities not to intervene, cautioning that any government involvement could provoke severe repercussions for Malaysian football.
Speaking to Scoop, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the claims were “not true at all.”
“That is completely untrue. How can the government possibly interfere in FIFA’s investigation? FIFA’s matters are for FAM to handle, end of story,” he said.
He added that his ministry was acting on information provided by the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS).
“I have been informed by the Youth and Sports Minister to look into this matter, and the KDN will carry out our due diligence within our jurisdiction here, namely, to investigate any issues relating to documents that are valid under Malaysian law.
“FIFA has its own processes, and the government will never influence their decisions. What is important is that we ensure all parties comply with our national laws without affecting international proceedings,” he added.
It was reported that Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had referred potential criminal elements arising from the ongoing football document forgery scandal to KDN.
The move followed FIFA’s directive to notify authorities in several countries regarding alleged wrongdoing involving seven heritage players. Hannah told reporters she had already contacted Saifuddin and was awaiting updates.
“The criminal aspect falls under the jurisdiction of KDN. I have contacted Saifuddin, but I have not yet received a response as I just reached out to him. I think we should allow him time to review the matter as well,” she said.
The controversy centres on documents submitted for seven heritage players: Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel. On 3 November, FIFA’s appeal committee upheld sanctions against FAM and ordered a formal probe into its internal processes.
FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.9 million), while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs and suspended for 12 months.
FIFA’s published reasoning noted that the probe must examine the roles of FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman and two licensed FIFA agents, Nicolas Puppo and Frederico Moraes, citing their involvement as “serious concerns that merit thorough scrutiny.”
The world governing body also instructed its secretariat to inform authorities in Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, emphasising that forgery constitutes a criminal offence in these jurisdictions. Hannah said her ministry would not pre-empt any findings ahead of her winding-up speech in Parliament.
“I am currently reviewing FIFA’s judgement regarding FAM’s appeal. All of this will be addressed in Parliament tomorrow,” she added. – November 20, 2025