In its written decision dismissing an appeal by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on the matter, the football world governing body said the integrity of official documents was “sacrosanct”, and their falsification was a punishable offence.
It said it had also directed its secretariat to notify the competent criminal authorities in Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands and Spain.
“It is imperative that the relevant authorities are informed so that appropriate criminal investigations and proceedings may be pursued,” it said.
Fifa’s call for authorities to initiate criminal probes comes a month after DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh called for a police investigation into the claim by Fifa that FAM had submitted forged documents in the controversy linked to the naturalisation of seven players.
The former deputy law minister said police should summon the players and national registration department officers involved in the scandal as it had tarnished the country’s reputation.
“Such investigations must be carried out immediately, not only to determine if Fifa’s claims of forgery are true, but also to determine if an offence under the Penal Code has been committed, particularly offences related to making false declarations,” he was reported as saying.
Fifa’s decision comes two weeks after it rejected FAM’s appeal against the sanctions imposed on the national football body and seven players, which could see the national team docked points in their ongoing 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
FAM and the seven footballers were penalised by Fifa after the world football body said FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility before Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.
FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million) while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (about RM10,560) and suspended for 12 months from all football-related activities, effective from the date of notification.
The seven players are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.