The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has appealed FIFA’s decision to suspend seven national team players over the Malaysia FIFA eligibility scandal, according to a report by Bernama on Wednesday.
FIFA had last month banned the players for one year and fined FAM $440,000 for allegedly submitting falsified documents claiming the footballers had Malaysian ancestry, making them eligible to play for the national team.
The world governing body said its investigation revealed that none of the players, who featured in Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam in June, had a parent or grandparent born in the country.
FAM denied any deliberate wrongdoing, insisting the matter resulted from a “technical error.” Acting president Yusoff Mahadi said the association was preparing a strong appeal to overturn the sanctions.
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“This appeal process is like a second round for us, so we are making better, more thorough and detailed preparations,” Yusoff said, as quoted by Bernama.
He spoke on Tuesday during Malaysia’s 5–1 win over Laos in an Asian Cup qualifier, expressing confidence that the Malaysia FIFA eligibility scandal would be resolved fairly.
FAM maintains it acted in good faith throughout the Malaysia FIFA eligibility scandal.