The top official of the Malaysian Football Association unexpectedly received two severe penalties.

Although permitted to return to work, Mr. Noor Azman must still confront two strict punishments, demonstrating FAM’s tough approach to rectifying its administration and safeguarding the prestige of national football.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) recently officially announced disciplinary measures against Secretary General Datuk Noor Azman Hj. Rahman, who was previously suspended over a scandal involving forged documents of naturalized players.

According to Acting FAM President Datuk Wira Yusoff Mahadi, the first disciplinary action is a two-year salary freeze for Mr. Noor Azman. This is viewed as a strong deterrent, reflecting the seriousness of the case despite his not being directly involved in document forgery.

Additionally, FAM has decided to place the Secretary General under strict performance supervision. For six months following his return, all his activities and work results will be regularly reviewed by the FAM Executive Committee. This monitoring outcome is considered a crucial factor in determining FAM leadership’s long-term trust in Noor Azman.

Previously, Noor Azman was suspended by FAM after the association was embroiled in a serious scandal involving the profiles of seven naturalized players representing the Malaysian national team. The incident shocked the public and sparked strong criticism regarding management, record-keeping, and transparency within the country’s football system.

To clarify individual and collective responsibility, the Independent Investigation Committee conducted a comprehensive review and subsequently recommended transferring Noor Azman’s case to the FAM Disciplinary Committee for further action. This investigation took place amid intense pressure from fans and international sports authorities.

The final conclusion by the FAM Disciplinary Committee found Noor Azman only involved in administrative errors, with no evidence of his participation or complicity in the document forgery as initially suspected. Nonetheless, FAM maintains that managerial responsibility cannot be overlooked, especially as the incident seriously damaged Malaysia’s football image internationally.