Malaysian football leadership weighs mass resignation amid naturalization scandal

FAM executive committee held a closed-door meeting in Petaling Jaya last week to address a deepening governance crisis regarding the naturalized players scandal, New Straits Times reported.

The meeting is considered crucial, potentially leading to the mass resignation of the entire executive committee. The presence of many FAM executive committee members at the hotel demonstrated an act of accountability for serious mismanagement.

FAM acting president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi confirmed that resignation is a primary option being weighed to save the national body from a total international ban.

"The priority is to avoid a ban. Resignation may be necessary, but there are two or three other options we are studying," Yusoff said, as quoted by New Straits Times. "Whatever decision we make, it must be collective. We swim together, we sink together, or we succeed together."

Malaysia naturalized player Facundo Garces (L) plays in 4-0 victory against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Malaysia, on June 10, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Tu

According to the federation's regulations, a mass resignation would lead to the automatic dissolution of the organization, triggering an extraordinary general assembly to elect new leadership. Such a scenario has also raised the possibility of former president Tan Sri Hamidin Amin returning to the helm to stabilize the situation.

In a separate move amidst the turmoil, FAM announced the reinstatement of secretary general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman. The federation cleared him of involvement in the forgery scandal, characterizing his role as an administrative error.

The legal pressure continues to mount as Malaysian police confirm they have received 45 complaints regarding document forgery, a case currently being investigated under Section 420 for fraud. Eight individuals have already been summoned for questioning, putting further pressure on FAM, The Star reported.

The scandal started in September 2025 when FIFA determined that FAM used forged naturalization documents for seven players -- Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Gabriel Palmero, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel. These players were featured in Malaysia's two wins in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, against Vietnam and Nepal.

The violation resulted in a 350,000 Swiss franc fine for FAM, while the involved players received a 12-month ban from football and individual fines. FIFA has already declared several of Malaysia’s friendly matches as 0-3 forfeits due to the inclusion of these ineligible players.

FAM’s only hope to overturn the case is its appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is set to get the result before the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers conclude in March.