Kuala lumpur: The Independent Investigation Committee (IIC), set up by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to investigate the alleged forged documents scandal, has announced that it was unable to conclusively determine who was responsible for falsifying the documents in question.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the committee explained that the inability to reach a conclusion was due to the lack of cooperation from the certifying Notary Public and the failure to locate the seven players' agents despite making reasonable efforts. The investigation did, however, reveal significant shortcomings in oversight, due diligence, and administrative controls within FAM's management, which allowed the incident to occur undetected.
The IIC advised FAM to immediately file a police report, undertake appropriate internal disciplinary measures where oversight was deficient, and implement the structural reforms recommended by the committee. These steps are crucial to preventing future occurrences and to restoring the credibility and integrity of FAM's operations. The committee also emphasized the public interest in FIFA's case against FAM and the seven players, advocating for the report to be made public.
FAM confirmed receipt of the IIC's 59-page report, chaired by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, earlier today at 3:30 pm. The FAM Executive Committee plans to convene a special meeting on Monday (Dec 22) to thoroughly discuss the report's findings and determine the next course of action.
The IIC further recommended that the FAM Disciplinary Committee initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against FAM general secretary Datuk Noor Azman Rahman. This recommendation aims to assess whether he failed in exercising the necessary oversight and due diligence, though it does not imply his personal involvement in the document falsification.
The report highlighted that FIFA's case had exposed vulnerabilities in FAM's documentation processes, agent oversight, verification protocols, and supervisory structures. It stressed the importance of reforming these areas to restore confidence, protect the integrity of Malaysian football, and align with international governance standards.
FAM had previously confirmed an appeal submission to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding FIFA's sanctions related to the documentation issue involving seven heritage players: Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel. The appeal followed FIFA's explanation of the Appeals Committee's decision, which upheld the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's ruling, resulting in a fine of CHF350,000 (approximately RM1.8 million) for FAM and a 12-month suspension and CHF2,000 (approximately RM10,000) fine for each player involved.