KUALA LUMPUR: Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) member Yusof Ismail has stepped down from the special task force investigating allegations that the FAof Malaysia (FAM) submitted falsified documents to FIFA to register seven footballers as heritage players.
The EAIC confirmed that Yusof’s withdrawal was a voluntary move to prevent any possible conflict of interest, as he also serves on an internal FAM committee looking into the same matter.
“This decision in no way affects the position nor Yusof’s credibility as a member of the EAIC,” it said in a statement.
The EAIC established the task force on Nov 4 to carry out a comprehensive review of how the documents were processed and verified.
In September, FIFA imposed heavy sanctions on FAM and the seven naturalised players after finding that forged documents had been used to confirm the players’ eligibility for Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.
FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (around RM1.8 million), while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs and suspended for 12 months from all football activities.
The players involved are Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
FIFA has since dismissed FAM’s appeal, upholding the punishment in full.
The association now plans to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
