IIC UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHO FALSIFIED DOCUMENTS - FAM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The Independent Investigation Committee (IIC), set up by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to probe into the alleged forged documents scandal, has said that it could not conclusively determine who falsified the impugned documents.

This, it said in a statement shared by FAM, was because the certifying Notary Public did not cooperate and its inability to locate the seven players’ agents despite reasonable efforts.

The statement, however, made it clear that the investigation found serious failures in oversight, due diligence and administrative controls within FAM’s management that permitted this incident to happen without detection or intervention.

"FAM is advised to lodge a police report immediately, take appropriate internal disciplinary action where oversight failed and implement structural reform that the IIC recommends. 

"These actions are essential to prevent any recurrence and to restore credibility and integrity of FAM's operations.

"FIFA's case against FAM and the seven players is of public interest. The IIC is of the view that this report should be made public," the IIC said in its 59-page report to the FAM on FIFA's sanctions against FAM and seven Harimau Malaya heritage players. 

FAM said it received the report from the IIC, chaired by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, at 3.30 pm today.

The FAM Executive Committee will hold a special meeting on Monday (Dec 22) to discuss the report's findings in detail before deciding on its next move.

The IIC also recommends that the FAM Disciplinary Committee initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against FAM general secretary Datuk Noor Azman Rahman to determine whether he failed to exercise the requisite level of oversight and due diligence. 

"This recommendation is made without prejudice and does not imply any findings of the general secretary's personal involvement in the alleged falsification," it added. 

The report also stated that FIFA's case had exposed weaknesses in documentation processes, agent oversight, verification protocols and supervising structures within FAM.

It also pointed out that to restore confidence, protect the integrity of Malaysian football and to align it with the international governance standards, FAM should undertake reform. 

The IIC proposes that FAM implement comprehensive structural and procedural reforms to strengthen oversight and administrative controls, while also taking preventive measures to avoid a recurrence and restore credibility and integrity of FAM operations. 

Previously, FAM confirmed that it had submitted an appeal to CAS regarding the punishment imposed by FIFA for the documentation issue of the seven heritage players - Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.

The decision to bring the case to CAS was made after FIFA revealed the reasons for the Appeals Committee's decision, which was 64 pages long, on Nov 3, which upheld the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

The decision saw FAM fined CHF350,000 (about RM1.8 million), while the seven players involved were suspended for 12 months and fined CHF2,000 (about RM10,000) each.

-- BERNAMA