KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) resigned Wednesday following a scandal over the naturalization of seven foreign-born players that led to FIFA sanctions and an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
All committee members, elected last year for the 2025–2029 term, stepped down voluntarily to protect FAM’s credibility. FIFA had fined the association roughly $450,000 and suspended the seven players for one year, citing falsified documents supporting their eligibility. The players, from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Spain, had competed for Malaysia, including a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier win over Vietnam.
FAM said the resignations allow FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to review governance and implement reforms without conflict of interest. Acting FAM president Mohamad Yusoff Mahadi said secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman will oversee day-to-day operations until a new executive committee is appointed.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport temporarily lifted the player ban while reviewing FAM’s appeal; a final ruling has not yet been announced.