EAIC Sets Up Special Task Force To Investigate FAM–FIFA Issue

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) today established a special task force to investigate allegations of failure in identity document verification and standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance in the citizenship process involving seven naturalised Malaysian football players linked to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and a probe by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

In a statement today, the EAIC said the special task force was formed in accordance with subsection 17(1) of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 [Act 700].

“Following the decision of the Commission Meeting No. 11/2025 held today, it was resolved that the EAIC will conduct a comprehensive investigation into matters related to integrity, governance and procedural compliance in the management and verification of documents for the players involved,” the statement said.

The EAIC said the task force would be chaired by EAIC deputy chairman Datuk Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham, along with commission members Datuk Siti Zainab Omar, Datuk Seri Dr Yusof Ismail and Datuk Ong Lam Kiat, as well as senior officers from the EAIC Operations Division.

“The EAIC seeks the full cooperation of all agencies and relevant parties throughout the investigation process, as this issue involves public interest and the nation’s integrity at the international level,” it added.

Yesterday, FIFA’s Appeal Committee reportedly upheld the sanctions imposed by its Disciplinary Committee on FAM and seven heritage players for offences related to document falsification under Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).

The committee, in a statement published on FIFA’s official website, confirmed that it had dismissed the appeal lodged by FAM and the players — Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.

Following the decision, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of CHF350,000 (approximately RM1.8 million), while each player was fined CHF2,000 (around RM11,000).

All seven players were also suspended for 12 months from participating in football-related activities.

-- BERNAMA