FAM must explain Fifa’s findings, says Hannah

FAM must explain Fifa’s findings, says Hannah

The youth and sports minister says football fans are 'hurt, angry and disappointed' over the controversy involving the national team.

Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh says the Football Association of Malaysia must respond transparently to the findings released by Fifa. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh today urged the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to respond openly to the findings disclosed by Fifa in its judgment disputing the Malaysian heritage of the seven footballers it had sanctioned.

“I have read Fifa’s grounds of judgment. FAM must complete the appeal process by announcing its intention to appeal and filing it,” she said in a social media posting.

“FAM cannot stay quiet and must respond clearly to all the revelations made by Fifa.”

Yeoh added that Malaysian football supporters were “hurt, angry and disappointed”.

“We must also not forget the Harimau Malaya squad, who will face Laos this week. To our Malaysian players, we are always with you,” she said.

Earlier today, Fifa released the full grounds of judgment for its decision to sanction FAM and the seven footballers who were naturalised citizens.

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

The disciplinary committee said that contrary to the documents submitted by FAM claiming that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia, Fifa’s investigation found original records indicating that they were born in Spain, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands.

The committee also questioned the thoroughness of the national registration department’s verification process, saying it was not based on the original documents.

FAM has maintained that it will appeal the sanctions and disputed Fifa’s findings, saying the international football organisation had provided no evidence to support its claims.

FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.8 million), while each player was individually fined 2,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM 10,560) and handed a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities, effective from the date of notification.

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