Police have opened an investigation paper after receiving 45 reports over alleged document forgery involving seven Harimau Malaya heritage players.
POLICE have received 45 reports to date regarding alleged document forgery involving seven heritage players of the national football squad.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said statements have been recorded from eight individuals.
“An investigation paper has been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code,” he said.
The case follows a police report lodged by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters on December 24.
FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the move followed a recommendation from the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC).
The IIC, chaired by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, recently completed its investigation report.
It recommended lodging a police report to enable a comprehensive probe into the origin of the suspected forged documents.
On September 26, FIFA confirmed FAM and the seven players breached Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
FIFA found FAM had submitted documents believed to have been forged to verify player eligibility.
The national body was fined about CHF350,000 (RM1.8 million).
Each player was fined about RM11,000 and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.
On November 3, the FIFA Appeal Committee dismissed appeals by FAM and the players, upholding the earlier decision.
