KUALA LUMPUR — Former Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has called on the incoming leadership of the national body to carefully review the citizenship controversy involving seven suspended players, saying the sensitive issue requires engagement with the relevant authorities before any decisions are made.
Speaking to Scoop when met at the Hilton Petaling Jaya yesterday, Hamidin said the matter should be among the priorities of the next FAM president and executive committee once they take office following the association’s upcoming elections.
He stressed that while the issue has sparked widespread public debate, particularly surrounding the players’ eligibility and documentation, it remains subject to ongoing investigations and cannot be resolved by FAM alone.
“The new president and executive committee must look at this matter carefully. They need to discuss it with the relevant authorities and determine the next course of action,” he said.
“It is a sensitive issue. The police are already investigating and a report was lodged when the previous executive committee was still in office.”
Hamidin said his remarks during FAM’s recent extraordinary congress, where he suggested that the matter be referred to the incoming administration, reflected the limitations of the current leadership structure.
With FAM currently without an elected president and executive committee following constitutional reforms endorsed at the congress, he said major decisions should be left to the next leadership team.
“That is why I said the new president and executive committee should review the matter, meet with the relevant authorities and decide on any further action.
“That is all I can say on the issue. It is beyond FAM’s jurisdiction in many respects, but FAM cannot simply wash its hands of the matter.”
He added that the association still had a responsibility to monitor developments despite the involvement of external agencies.
“We still have a responsibility to follow developments and ensure the matter is properly addressed.
“I know supporters are very sensitive about this issue, and understandably so. But we need to allow the proper processes to take place.”
Hamidin also cautioned against speculation while investigations remain ongoing, saying any future action should be based on facts and consultations with the relevant authorities.
“Whoever takes over must look at the issue responsibly and make decisions based on the facts and advice they receive.
“It is not something that can be resolved through speculation or public pressure.”
His comments come as FAM prepares for a new chapter following the adoption of constitutional amendments and governance reforms recommended by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA.
The association is expected to hold fresh elections in the coming months to appoint a new president and executive committee, who will be tasked with implementing the reforms while also addressing several outstanding issues facing Malaysian football.
Among them is the unresolved citizenship controversy, which Hamidin said would require close cooperation between FAM and the relevant authorities.
The issue first emerged in September 2025 when Malaysian football was rocked by revelations of falsified documents for seven naturalised players, who were then deemed ineligible after representing the national team under head coach Peter Cklamovski during the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, including Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam in June 2025.
The players involved are Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, João Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero and Héctor Hevel.
All seven are currently serving 12-month suspensions, with the case continuing to cast a shadow over Malaysian football as stakeholders await further developments from the authorities and FAM’s incoming leadership. – June 8, 2026