AT the outset, I have to say that I am happy with the statement from Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh, that her ministry is taking FIFA’s (International Federation of Association Football’s) sanction against FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) very seriously.
FIFA has officially sanctioned FAM and seven foreign-born players for allegedly using “doctored documentation” when they were registered to play for the country. FAM was fined RM1.9 million and the players was suspended for 12 months.
I believe this is the first time that Malaysia has got into trouble with FIFA over such an issue which is indeed a very serious one as Malaysia’s integrity and credibility in the international sports arena is on the line.
So, Hannah did the right thing by being prepared to take the FIFA-FAM issue very seriously. It makes sense for her to do so. In the months ahead, the spotlight will be on the Sports Minister and her ministry on their management and resolution of the matter.
Meantime, Hannah also did the correct thing by urging all parties to allow the FAM to complete its appeal process against the sanctions imposed by FIFA.
The minister has also emphasised that the priority is to ensure all processes are carried out with full integrity for the sake of the country. Not surprisingly, Malaysia has now turned into a global punchline when football is discussed.
When a friend suggested, in an online chat, that Hannah should resign as Sports Minister as the FAM-FIFA debacle took place under her watch, I responded: “I believe FAM has already made plans for the foreign-born recruits to join the Harimau Malaya team way before Hannah became the Sports Minister. Hence, it’s not fair for her head to roll. But the onus is now on her to help resolve the matter in the best way possible”.
So, what is the story behind the current mess that FAM has found itself embroiled in?
Over the past few years, FAM has been looking to strengthen the Harimau Malaya squad by recruiting naturalised players and mixed-heritage or foreign-born players with Malaysian descent or links.
There was a naturalisation programme. But in March 2025 it was reported that FAM temporarily halted the national-level naturalisation programme.
On 10 June 2025, in an Asian Cup Qualifier, Malaysia beat Vietnam 4-0. In that match, a number of foreign-born players were fielded.
After that match, there were complaints raised about the eligibility of several of those players – that their documentation or naturalisation status (i.e. whether they were properly eligible to represent Malaysia under FIFA rules) may not have been legitimate.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee investigated, and found that seven foreign-born players had breaches of Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, concerning forgery and falsification of documents.
I have titled this piece, ‘FAM and football: A very serious issue in Malaysia‘ and I have valid reasons for doing so.
I believe in telling the truth and I know it is true that FAM is facing a big problem. It is also probably true that with no real leadership in FAM for years, Malaysian football is also in the rut.
What is of great concern is that the allegation against FAM indicates the involvement of fraud, which means wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
Fraud is a serious crime and FAM is in deep trouble. Irrespective of how the issue will eventually be resolved, the reputation of Malaysia’s premier football body is in tatters.
No matter how FAM tries to justify its decision of fielding the seven foreign-born players, I will have difficulty in accepting ‘non-Malaysians’ to play for my country.
I would still love to have players named Mokhtar, Chin Aun, Abdullah, Arumugam and Santokh in our national team rather than those from Europe or Latin America, just because of their distant Malaysian link.
There will be no joy or pride in me even if Malaysia were to win the World Cup with foreign-born players. Let’s play fair and square, and bear in mind the Olympic motto that “Participation is more important than winning a medal”.
It is good enough if we are able to bring home the Suzuki Cup (Southeast Asian level) now and again. It is okay too if we are never crowned the Asian Football Champion. Let’s win or lose with trust and hope in our very own Malaysian footballers.
That should be the way to go!
I believe our Sports Minister has attempted to resolve the malaise in FAM, but has little success so far.
There are serious leadership instability and governance issues at FAM. The FAM President’s role has seen frequent changes. The last president only lasted six months and FAM is now led by an acting president.
Looking forward, I think that football associations at all levels should elect/appoint leaders with long-term vision, integrity, transparency, and stay in the post to allow policies to be implemented.
It is crucial for all sports bodies in the country to seek the help of the government and work with the Sports Ministry as transparency, oversight and stakeholder involvement are vital for the development of sports.
Finally, if FAM and Malaysian football are to learn anything from the latest skirmish with FIFA, the focus should be on long-term vision rather than short-term appeasement.
Naturalisation should be one of several tools, not the main tool.
FAM, please bear that in mind!
• Francis Paul Siah is a veteran Sarawak editor and currently heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS).
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.
