GOVERNMENT FUNDS CANNOT BE USED TO TAKE HERITAGE PLAYERS’ CASE TO CAS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Government funds allocated to the national football team cannot be used by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the process of taking the case regarding the eligibility of its seven heritage players to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the government had allocated RM15 million to support the preparations of the main squad and Under-23 team to qualify for the Asian Cup Finals, including allowances, salaries of coaches and training expenses.

"This allocation cannot be used by FAM for its appeal process. If FAM wants to take the case to the CAS, it must be prepared to bear the costs,” she said when winding up the debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today

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She also reiterated that the government will not channel any additional funding to the national team until the completion of investigations and improvements to FAM's administration.

In addition, Hannah said the ministry will assess the improvement proposals, including ensuring every application for the naturalisation of players is referred to the National Sports Council (NSC) to ensure priority continues to be given to the development programme of local athletes. 

Previously, FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said it would initiate the process of taking the case regarding the eligibility of their seven heritage players to the CAS to ensure justice is upheld and to defend the integrity of the players’ eligibility process as stipulated by the government and the relevant authorities

In another development, Hannah hailed the "very encouraging” achievements of athletes in other sports, including badminton, wushu, tenpin bowling and lawn bowls this year.

"For 2025, we have produced world champions, among them the mixed doubles pair of Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei (badminton). We will continue to support the athletes and ensure they get sufficient training and exposure. I am confident their performance levels will continue to rise,” she said.

The Dewan Rakyat then approved the estimated operating and development expenditure of RM1,182,924,500 for the ministry under Budget 2026 by a majority voice vote.

The sitting resumes on Monday

-- BERNAMA