KBS AWAITS OUTCOME OF FAM APPEAL TO FIFA, WANTS TO PREVENT RECURRENCE - HANNAH

CYBERJAYA, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) is awaiting the outcome of the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) appeal to FIFA over the sanctions imposed by the world governing body before issuing any official statement.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said FAM, as a large and experienced sports association, is believed to have the capacity and sufficient legal team to manage the appeal process.

Hannah said any enquiries or further information regarding the case should be directed to FAM as the national football body has the latest updates on its appeal.

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“I will only make an official statement after FIFA’s decision on the appeal.

“I want to make sure that if there were any mistakes, we have room to rectify them so this does not happen again. But at the moment, it is premature as I need to know the status of the appeal to FIFA first before making any further comment,” she said.

She told reporters this after officiating at the Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health Education at RekaScape here today.

Hannah added that there is no need at this stage for KBS to extend additional assistance to FAM for the appeal process as the association has its own resources.

Last Friday, FAM and seven heritage players were sanctioned by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee for breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code relating to document falsification.

FIFA, in a statement, said FAM submitted falsified documents to certify the eligibility of the players, enabling them to feature in the third-round qualifiers of the 2027 Asian Cup against Vietnam on June 10.

The seven sanctioned heritage players are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.

As a result, FAM was fined CHF350,000 (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined CHF2,000 (about RM10,560) and suspended for 12 months from all football-related activities, effective from the date of notification of the decision.

Last Sunday, FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman admitted there had been a technical error in the submission of documents by the association’s administrative staff.

Noor Azman said FAM views the matter seriously and stressed that the players involved are legitimate Malaysian citizens.

He added that FAM is now awaiting FIFA’s full written judgment before filing an appeal through the proper legal channels.

The RTD, organised by the Malaysian Institute for Youth Research (IYRES), KBS in collaboration with PUSPANITA KBS, was attended by 222 youths.

Hannah said KBS upholds the key message of abstinence, namely avoiding sexual relations before marriage. However, for youth who have engaged in premarital sex, the approach is to educate and guide them back on the right path by providing accurate information on how to protect themselves.

She added that various awareness programmes are being carried out, including anti-drug and anti-pornography campaigns as well as self-love initiatives, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, Education Ministry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

-- BERNAMA