Naturalization scandal in Malaysia, team leaders may be summoned by police

Malaysian football remains in turmoil as authorities broaden the probe into falsified paperwork of naturalized players, where the national team management is expected to be summoned.

The management of Malaysia's national football team is likely the next target to be summoned by policein connection with the investigation regarding allegations of forged documents involving seven naturalized players.

Acting President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Datuk Yusoff Mahadi, confirmed that authorities have taken statements from at least eight individuals related to the case. Yusoff himself has also been invited to cooperate with the police during the initial investigation phase.

According to Yusoff, the current investigation mainly focuses on FAM as the highest governing body of football in Malaysia. “Whether the police summon the national team’s CEO, Mr. Rob Friend, is a question only the investigators can answer. However, when police get involved, they always start at the source, and in this case, the source is FAM,” Yusoff stated.

The FAM leader emphasized that the investigation process must begin with the governing organization before expanding to the individuals involved.“After completing internal reviews at FAM, the authorities will continue to clarify the responsibilities of the national team or any related parties. That is police procedure, and I trust they understand the process,” he added.

This development has drawn more attention after FIFA, in a 64-page decision released last November, revealed that Rob Friend admitted his role was only as an advisor to the national team. This information was surprising since FAM had previously announced in December 2024 that Friend was appointed as the CEO of the Malaysian national team.

Earlier, Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa, Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department at Bukit Aman, confirmed that police have recorded statements from eight individuals and are investigating the matter under Section 420 of the Malaysian Penal Code, related to fraud.

The case was initiated after FAM proactively filed a police report based on recommendations from the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC), which completed an internal investigation report on suspicious naturalization documents of players.