EAIC sets up a special task force to investigate identity document verification failures in the citizenship process of seven naturalised football players.
THE Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission has established a special task force to investigate allegations of identity document verification failures in the citizenship process involving seven naturalised Malaysian football players.
The investigation will examine standard operating procedure compliance issues linked to the Football Association of Malaysia and a probe by FIFA.
EAIC formed the special task force under subsection 17(1) of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009.
“The EAIC will conduct a comprehensive investigation into matters related to integrity, governance and procedural compliance in the management and verification of documents for the players involved,” the commission stated.
The task force will be chaired by EAIC deputy chairman Datuk Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham.
Other members include commission members Datuk Siti Zainab Omar, Datuk Seri Dr Yusof Ismail and Datuk Ong Lam Kiat, along with senior EAIC Operations Division officers.
“The EAIC seeks the full cooperation of all agencies and relevant parties throughout the investigation process,” the commission added.
This issue involves public interest and the nation’s integrity at the international level.
Yesterday, FIFA’s Appeal Committee reportedly upheld sanctions imposed by its Disciplinary Committee on FAM and seven heritage players.
The committee dismissed the appeal lodged by FAM and players Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
FAM was ordered to pay a fine of CHF350,000, approximately RM1.8 million.
Each player was fined CHF2,000, around RM11,000.
All seven players received 12-month suspensions from football-related activities for document falsification offences under Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. – Bernama
