KUALA LUMPUR – Senior sports analyst Sadek Mustaffa believes that if FIFA were to take control of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), it would introduce a more professional and transparent governance structure.
His comments come amid mounting pressure on FAM’s executive committee, which is reportedly set to tender a collective resignation as early as next week. The resignation is seen as an attempt to avoid the formation of a FIFA-led normalisation committee.
Sources close to FAM have suggested that this move is a strategic retreat, aiming to demonstrate self-correction and avert full international intervention. A press conference to announce the transition is expected on January 28.
The resignation is viewed as a proactive step to facilitate new elections and establish a new committee. However, concerns remain that elections alone may not prevent familiar figures from returning to positions of power.
FAM has been under intense scrutiny since FIFA imposed disciplinary sanctions last year over violations of Article 22, relating to the forgery and falsification of documents associated with seven naturalised players — Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.
As a result, FIFA fined FAM 350,000 Swiss Francs (RM1.8 million), while the players received 12-month bans and fines of 2,000 Swiss Francs (RM10,600) each. Malaysia also forfeited three international friendly matches, which were awarded as 3-0 victories to Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine.
Further consequences could follow, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) set to decide on potential points deductions in Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign. FAM is also awaiting the outcome of its appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Sadek, speaking to Scoop, argued that FIFA oversight would prevent any individual from unduly influencing administrative decisions, thereby providing Malaysian football with clearer direction and a focus on long-term objectives.
“In simple terms, operations would follow the rules, and everything would be managed professionally,” Sadek said.
The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) senior sports science lecturer emphasised that FIFA’s oversight would offer protection from internal pressures within Malaysian football, both at the league and international levels.
However, he warned that over-reliance on foreign personnel could limit the development of local talent and leadership, fostering a perception of external control.
Sadek also noted that the impact of FIFA’s intervention would depend on the nature of the sanctions imposed.
“If FAM is suspended from domestic and international football activities for two years, Malaysia could potentially lose up to eight years to return to the global stage,” he explained.
Despite the short-term risks, Sadek believes that the long-term benefits outweigh them. “It is a necessary step to clean up all aspects of governance in FAM, including the people involved and the environment around them,” he said.
He added that the normalisation process would aim to realign FAM’s governance with FIFA standards – a reform eagerly anticipated by Malaysian football fans.
“Many of the challenges in Malaysian football have not been managed professionally or effectively. This could finally be the reset the sport needs,” Sadek concluded.
Meanwhile, veteran sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli, also a senior lecturer at UiTM’s Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, expressed support for voluntary resignations. However, he acknowledged that FIFA intervention would depend on FIFA’s own evaluation of the situation.
“Whether they resign or not, if FIFA wants to take over, it will happen,” said Pekan.
He also stated that resigning voluntarily would be more dignified than being forced out by a normalisation committee.
“It is better to resign than to be compelled to leave once FIFA steps in,” Pekan said.
Pekan clarified that FIFA’s involvement should not be seen as punishment but as an opportunity to rebuild credibility and improve governance structures.
He noted that FIFA-led normalisation committees typically operate within a fixed timeframe before returning control to the national federation once reforms are implemented.
Pekan added that such reform is widely supported within the football community, even if it involves a temporary loss of autonomy. – January 22, 2026