FIFA UNLIKELY TO OVERTURN DECISION ON HERITAGE PLAYERS - TUNKU MAHKOTA ISMAIL

PETALING JAYA, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Johor Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail does not expect FIFA, the world’s football governing body, to overturn its sanctions imposed on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven heritage national players.

The Regent felt that FIFA might impose reduced sanctions instead.

“I think they all will fine FAM. Maybe (the) national team as well or deduction of points and ban the players. How long the ban will we, we don’t know,” His Royal Highness said during a media conference here today, adding that no matter what decision is announced on Oct 30, FAM and its lawyers need to carry on with the appeal process and bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if needed.

The Regent also explained that the report that resulted in the FIFA investigation was said to have come from an individual from Vietnam, and not from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

“Someone from Vietnam, but not FA. So, we do not know. It’s not the VFF secretary-general, it’s not the President or whatnot. That was what I was told. 

“For me, it’s quite funny to be honest that FIFA would even entertain anybody because I bet you there’s a lot of complaints out there by whoever. But for FIFA to even entertain and go till that extent, I feel a bit funny to be honest with you,” Tunku Mahkota Ismail said.

The Regent also did not view the national squad project, which he initiated, was a failure due to the current crisis, stressing that the change in structure and team performance showed improvement in terms of technical and tactical aspects, the spirit of players and training management that were now more organised and professional, leading to the country’s ranking of 130th in the world.

His Royal Highness also pointed out that the documents related to the heritage players were not fake and had been authenticated by the government.

“I believe that there was a technicality - wrong submission - when we submitted the paper, if the government says the documents are authentic, I don’t think that I as a Malaysian want to question the integrity or sovereignty of my country,” the Regent said.

Last month, FIFA’s disciplinary committee had imposed sanctions on FAM and seven heritage players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel - after finding they had violated Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

FAM was fined CHF 350,000 (around RM1.8 million), while each player was fined CHF 2,000 (around RM10,560) and suspended for 12 months from any footballing activity, effective from the date of the notice of the decision.

-- BERNAMA