Malaysia’s Football Association has appealed FIFA’s suspension of seven players and a $440,000 fine.
The body denies wrongdoing, calling the player eligibility issue a technical error under review.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has lodged an appeal against FIFA’s decision to suspend seven national team players and fine the federation over alleged falsification of player eligibility documents.
The world football governing body had last month imposed a one-year ban on the affected players and fined FAM $440,000. According to FIFA, the Malaysian federation submitted documents claiming that the seven foreign-born players had ancestral ties to Malaysia, making them eligible to represent the country.
However, investigations later revealed that none of the players, who featured in Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier in June, had a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia.
In response, FAM denied deliberate wrongdoing and attributed the issue to what it described as a “technical error.” Acting FAM president Yusoff Mahadi told reporters that the association was preparing thoroughly for the appeal process.
“This appeal process is like a second round for us, so we are making better, more detailed preparations. It was not done hastily or under pressure,” Yusoff said, as quoted by Bernama news agency.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during Malaysia’s 5–1 win over Laos in another Asian Cup qualifier.
FAM maintains that it acted in good faith and hopes FIFA will reconsider its sanctions after reviewing the appeal.
