In a statement, FAM acting president Yusoff Mahadi said the national football governing body decided to do so upon receiving the full written grounds for Fifa’s rejection of its appeal.

Earlier today, FMT reported that Fifa would probe FAM over the fiasco and that it had taken the association to task for “shielding” those responsible for submitting the falsified documents.

In its written decision, Fifa also called on local authorities to probe the matter.

Yusoff said FAM would now “initiate the process of raising this case at the CAS”.

“This will ensure that justice is upheld and help defend the integrity of the processes relied on by the Malaysian government and its related agencies in determining the players’ eligibililty.”

He added that FAM remained committed to fighting for the rights of all national players.

On Nov 3, Fifa announced that it had rejected FAM’s appeal against its sanctions “in its entirety” and that Harimau Malaya’s points in their ongoing 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign might be docked.

FAM and the seven naturalised Malaysian footballers were penalised by Fifa after the world football body said FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility before Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.

FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million) while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (about RM10,560) and suspended for 12 months from all football-related activities, effective from the date of notification.

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