FIFA’s findings of forged citizenship documents in Malaysia’s football team have erupted into a full-blown political and governance crisis for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Malaysia faces a major political and sporting crisis after FIFA fined the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) 350,000 Swiss francs and banned seven naturalised players for using forged documents to represent the country. The scandal has triggered calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry as critics accuse government agencies of complicity in the alleged citizenship fraud.
Opposition leaders say the affair “goes beyond administrative error,” urging investigations into possible corruption and abuse of power. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration is under pressure, with the issue of citizenship already a divisive topic in Malaysia, especially ahead of state elections in Sabah.
Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution insists the players’ citizenship was lawfully granted, calling the issue “between FIFA and FAM.” FIFA, however, said falsified birth certificates were used, calling the act “pure and simple cheating.”
The FAM plans to appeal, but analysts warn the scandal’s political and sporting fallout may deepen.