FAM Urged To Make Appeal Promptly On Issue Of Heritage Players Imbroglio

KUALA NERUS, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been urged to promptly resolve the appeal process regarding the decision of the International Football Association Board (FIFA) to impose disciplinary action on the national football governing body and Harimau Malaya’s seven heritage players.

Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Adam Adli Abd Halim said the appeal must be made quickly and meet the conditions and regulations set by the world football governing body.

In addition, he said FAM also needs to be more transparent in conveying information to the public so that there is no speculation that could disrupt the national football development ecosystem.

"We hope FAM can quickly resolve the appeal and ensure that it complies with everything that has been understood by FIFA.

"We also hope that the appeal process runs with full transparency and integrity. In this matter, we are taking an approach so that FAM is also more transparent in conveying information to the public.

"Fans and supporters of the Harimau Malaya squad only want true and accurate information. FAM needs to be careful in managing this matter," he said after officiating the Terengganu-level 2025 National Sports Day (HSN2025) at the Gong Badak Sports Complex here today.

Also present was chairman of the state committee on Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation Development, Hishamuddin Abdul Karim.

Earlier, FAM and seven Heritage players were subject to action by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee after violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) which deals with forgery of documents regarding citizenship records.

The seven players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha; Facundo Garces; Imanol Machuca; Rodrigo Holgado; Joao Figueiredo; Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.

It is understood that FAM needs to submit an official appeal to FIFA no later than Oct 14 after receiving an official notice on Oct 6.

-- BERNAMA