FAM expects the independent committee’s report on the documentation of seven heritage players, suspended by FIFA, to be released this month
THE Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) expects the full investigation report from its independent committee on the documentation of seven heritage players this month.
FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the association is awaiting the report from the committee chaired by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif.
“We are still waiting for the report from Tun Raus and I expect the report to be received this month as well,” he told reporters after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony.
He stated that the findings will determine FAM’s next course of action.
The independent committee was established in October to investigate the issue involving seven Harimau Malaya players suspended for 12 months by FIFA.
Mohd Yusoff also confirmed FAM has submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after completing all processes at the FIFA level.
“In the current situation, our legal team is preparing to submit all the necessary documents,” he said, adding he believes they can meet the CAS procedure deadline of December 18.
He emphasised that dealings with FIFA have concluded and CAS is the final legal platform.
“We have completed at FIFA level and there is no more matter involving FIFA,” Mohd Yusoff said.
He stressed the appeal to CAS was to ensure all legal processes were fully exhausted, not driven by risk considerations.
“At CAS, this is our last process and it is an independent body that is not bound by FIFA,” he added.
FAM previously confirmed the appeal to CAS regarding the FIFA punishment involving players Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
The appeal followed FIFA’s release of a 64-page Appeals Committee decision on November 3, upholding the original disciplinary ruling.
FIFA fined FAM CHF 350,000 (approximately RM1.8 million) and suspended the seven players for 12 months, fining each CHF 2,000 (approximately RM10,000). – Bernama
