The entire executive committee of Malaysian soccer's governing body has "voluntarily" resigned over a scandal in which European and Latin American players were improperly granted citizenship to play for the national team.
A complaint was lodged against Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) last year after Malaysia beat regional rivals Vietnam 4-0 with several players who had only been granted citizenship the week before.
An investigation by FIFA concluded the men's grandparents were not born in Malaysia as claimed, but rather Spain, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands.
FIFA alleged FAM had "doctored" documents in order to field the players, ordering the association to pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs ($663,000).
"Presenting fraudulent documentation with the purpose of gaining eligibility to play for a national team constitutes, pure and simple, a form of cheating," FIFA's report said.
A statement from FAM yesterday announcing the resignations said it was "a prudent and principled step taken in light of the recent situation".
The executives had been elected for the term 2025 to 2029 but their unanimous "voluntary" exit was intended to restore the confidence of supporters, stakeholders and the football community, the statement said.
"Maintaining institutional credibility is essential for the stability, sustainability, and future development of Malaysian football," it said.
Court of arbitration clears suspended footballers to play
When FIFA handed down its findings last year, seven players were slapped with a 12-month suspension from football-related activities and individual fines of around $3,800.
The players whose family heritage was in question were Spanish-born Gabriel Palmera and Jon Irazabal; Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado and Imanol Machuca born in Argentina; Brazil-born Joao Figueiredo; and Hector Hevel who was born in the Netherlands.
FIFA concluded the players were the "ultimate beneficiaries" and "illegally, and successfully enjoyed the consequences".
They have appealed FIFA's decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which this week granted a stay on the 12-month ban until their appeal had been reviewed.
An in-person hearing for their appeal will be held at the Court of Arbitration's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland in late February.
