Malaysia FA executive committee resigns as AFC launches review

The Football Association of Malaysia’s executive committee for the 2025–2029 term has resigned with immediate effect, stepping aside as the Asian Football Confederation begins a governance and process review following FIFA sanctions linked to the eligibility of seven naturalised players. FAM’s move follows FIFA disciplinary action over what FIFA described as falsified documentation used in the players’ eligibility cases. FIFA fined FAM CHF350,000 and suspended the seven players for 12 months from all football-related activities, with the FIFA Appeal Committee later confirming the sanctions.Acting FAM president Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the committee took the decision to protect the organisation’s integrity and to prioritise the wider interests of the game. “This was done … to put the interests of football and FAM above all else.” FAM has been defending itself against FIFA’s findings and has appealed through the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which has granted a provisional stay on the player bans while the case proceeds. AFC general secretary Windsor John said the AFC review will examine FAM’s internal governance, administrative and procedural set-up: “We want to identify the weaknesses and gaps that we can benchmark against a modern and standard association.” Under the interim arrangements outlined at the time of the resignations, a small team led by FAM’s secretary-general is expected to manage day-to-day operations, with AFC support, while the process to appoint a new executive committee is considered. The crisis has centred on seven players who featured for Malaysia in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June 2025.FIFA’s published decisions list the seven sanctioned players and confirm both the fines and the 12-month suspensions imposed.