YOURSAY | ‘I suppose Ronaldo of Portugal also must have roots in Malaysia?’
COMMENT | FAM’s appeal fails; integrity hit, nation branded cheat
Fifa rejects appeal, FAM vows to fight on
PurpleJaguar0553: It’s a waste of time and money for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to lodge an appeal and form an independent committee to investigate the document forgery incident (involving seven “heritage” players).
The former seems to be more like a public relations exercise to show FAM believes it is innocent and is defending itself.
While the latter is more likely to either scapegoat someone or to give a more favourable picture of innocence for a domestic audience.
From all the statements made, it seems clear now that the National Registration Department (NRD) issued identity cards (ICs) without proper evidence and without proper diligence that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia; the citizenship issued to the foreigners breached the Constitution and was reminiscent of Project IC; all this was done while discriminating against stateless Malaysians.
What a fiasco! This government and FAM have done what no one else could do: bring international shame and embarrassment to Malaysia and cause it to be labelled as cheats.
Is this the much-touted Madani value and ethic?
GanMu: Well articulated comment by veteran journalist R Nadeswaran. You brought out the anger, fury and embarrassment we are feeling over FAM’s irresponsible act. I agree with you that this should stop.
FAM should drop its appeal and accept the verdict, as the final decision is obvious, which is that the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) Appeals Committee’s decision will be upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
What you didn’t comment on is how the special independent committee’s role, in which FAM appointed a former chief justice to lead, fits in here.
Is its role an academic exercise since its verdict will only be made in six weeks, well after FAM’s final appeal?
Would you agree with me that it should release its verdict before the deadline for appeal? So that, in the event it confirms that the documents were falsified, FAM may, in all probability, drop its case.
LimeHorse5802: Since FAM has pushed the matter to the government, the nation’s integrity is now at stake.
While we may feel emotional or angry, it is best to view this issue through a wider lens.
Honestly, it has reached a point where Malaysia cannot afford to stay passive.
Before we sink deeper into the rut, we must defend our position – not to excuse mistakes, but to protect the nation’s reputation and integrity.
While Fifa has every right to regulate player eligibility, it has no authority over Malaysia’s sovereign right to confer citizenship.
The core dispute lies in whether the documentation used to prove “heritage” meets Fifa’s narrow standards, not whether Malaysia committed forgery.
The birth certificates were lawfully issued by the NRD based on its administrative discretion.
Without clear evidence of intent to falsify, Fifa’s Section 22 on forgery should not apply.
From the angle of national integrity and reputation as a lawful state, Malaysia must continue its appeal, including to CAS.
In doing so, the justifications and reasoning behind Malaysia’s discretionary mandate must be made transparent.
Silence would imply guilt and further erode confidence in our documentation and governance processes.
An appeal, even if unsuccessful, demonstrates that Malaysia values due process and stands by the legitimacy of its institutions.
As for who bears the cost of legal arbitration, now that the issue has become the government’s responsibility, the answer is straightforward: the taxpayers.
It may be an expensive lesson for the nation, but if we fail to learn from it, a similar fiasco will surely be repeated.
Ultimately, both Fifa and Malaysia may seek a face-saving compromise; perhaps reduced sanctions or clearer eligibility rules.
Yet Malaysia must take this episode as a lesson. Where matters involving citizenship, identity, and international representation require absolute diligence, transparency, and foresight.
Hmmm: I am very surprised that Fifa did not increase the penalties for a waste of their time and resources.
I think the term used in the courts here would be “frivolous”. I hope Fifa will increase the penalties if the final appeal fails.
I am really surprised that there are still people who believe that the NRD did no wrong in issuing new birth certificates based on what appeared to be made-up stories when a quick check with the respective countries would have unearthed the original birth certificates.
Fifa said they managed to obtain the birth certificates with ease. So we could not have tried very hard, if at all. Why, if not to cheat?
Vijay47: Come on, guys, look at the funny side. Going by FAM’s firm statement, it may be unusual but not illegal that the seven players with ancestry in various local kampungs should look suspiciously like residents of Argentina, Brazil, and that neck of the woods.
Of course, commitment to football and muting one’s looks to that of famous stars – my football-loving newspaper boy looks just like Cristiano Ronaldo!
What is going to happen next? Will anyone in uncommon self-respect take responsibility and resign?
No, seppuku may not be necessary; only the country has again been shamed.
Nah, they would just form a team to shout “Repree kayu!”
Cogito Ergo Sum: Perpetuating the lie by pretending that they were duped only reinforces Malaysia’s reputation as having a subpar education.
It is glaring that it was not a genuine mistake but an act of forgery. I suppose Ronaldo of Portugal also must have roots in Malaysia?
After his great, great, great-grandfather was taken back to Portugal when the Portuguese left Malacca?
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