Overturned! FIFA Annuls Result Of Three Malaysian Fixtures For Fielding Ineligible Players

FIFA has annulled the results of three Malaysia matches after finding they had fielded ineligible players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) stated on Wednesday. This is the latest setback for

the team amid a widening document forgery scandal.

In September, FIFA suspended seven naturalised players for 12 months and fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs after discovering false documentation had been used to enable them to play in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.

World fooball’s governing body dismissed an appeal by FAM last month, announcing it would launch a formal probe into the association’s internal operations and notify authorities in five countries of potential criminal proceedings.

FAM responded by stating it would bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

In its latest decision, FIFA’s disciplinary committee also altered the results of three friendlies in which the players had participated, issuing 3-0 defeats for games against Cape Verde on May 29, Singapore on September 4 and Palestine on September 8, according to FAM.

The association has also been fined an additional 10,000 Swiss francs.

Initially, Malaysia had drawn 1-1 with Cape Verde and secured 2-1 and 1-0 victories over Singapore and Palestine, respectively.

“FAM will submit a written application to obtain the reasons for the decision from the FIFA disciplinary committee before considering the next steps in this matter,” the association said.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of business hours.

The scandal has caused an uproar in Malaysia, with fans and some lawmakers calling for action against FAM and government agencies responsible for granting the players’ citizenship.

Last month, the association suspended its secretary-general and formed an independent committee to investigate what it termed a “technical error.”

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised full transparency in domestic investigations but emphasized that FAM should be allowed to defend itself.

(With Inputs From Agencies)