8 people are under investigation for illegal naturalization, Malaysia’s top official may not escape responsibility

Following the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the police will proceed to cooperate with the Malaysian national team’s management concerning the controversy over falsified naturalization paperwork for players.

According to New Straits Times, the management board of the Malaysian national team is preparing to be summoned by the police for questioning following complaints related to the scandal of fake naturalization documents for the Malaysian national team. According to Yusoff Mahadi, Acting President of FAM, the police have interrogated at least 8 witnesses in this case involving forged naturalization papers.

Mr. Mahadi himself has also been summoned to give testimony as the head of FAM, the highest authority in this matter. This raises the question of whether the leadership of the Malaysian national team will continue to be called by the police as witnesses.

Responding to this issue, Yusoff Mahadi emphasized that all decisions rest with the investigative authorities. Mahadi said: “Whether the police summon the CEO of the Malaysian national team, Rob Friend, is their decision, not mine. But we must understand that when the police get involved, they will definitely start by investigating the source first.”

However, according to Mahadi, this process cannot happen immediately because the investigation must follow proper procedures. Mahadi stressed: “The source is FAM. After conclusions are made by FAM, the police will certainly expand the investigation to the team or any related individuals. They cannot directly approach that individual (Rob Friend). They need to work with the leadership first (FAM).”

From his perspective, summoning the management of the Malaysian national team can only occur after the investigation within FAM is completed. Yusoff Mahadi concluded: “After finishing the internal investigation at FAM, they will proceed with the next steps outside. That is the police’s responsibility, and I believe they know what they are doing.”

The police have officially intervened in the scandal involving forged naturalization documents of 7 fake-origin players belonging to the Malaysian national team. Up to now, at least 45 complaints have been filed with the police related to this matter.

Meanwhile, FAM is still attempting to appeal FIFA’s sanctions against the 7 fake naturalized players, who have been suspended for 1 year. Malaysia has even submitted a case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting the annulment of FIFA’s penalty so that the players can return to competition.

In light of FIFA having discovered the forgery and continuing its investigation, Malaysia’s request seems quite puzzling. FAM appears to pay little attention to the financial penalties imposed twice by FIFA, as well as the cancellation of three official matches of the Malaysian national team. Instead, they are focusing on trying to save the careers of the fake naturalized players, whose backgrounds are unclear but are still claimed to have Malaysian blood.