Fifa has overturned the results of three international friendly matches involving the Malaysian national football team, imposing 3-0 defeats on the Southeast Asian nation. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed the sanctions on Wednesday, stemming from a widening document forgery scandal that has engulfed the sport. This decision marks a significant escalation in penalties against FAM.

The matches in question were against Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine. Malaysia had initially drawn 1-1 with Cape Verde and secured victories over Singapore (2-1) and Palestine (1-0). In addition to forfeiting these results, FAM has been fined an additional 10,000 Swiss francs by Fifa’s disciplinary committee.

These latest penalties follow a September ruling where Fifa suspended seven naturalised Malaysian players for 12 months and levied a substantial fine of 350,000 Swiss francs. This was in response to the use of false documentation during an Asian Cup qualifier, a move that sparked an immediate investigation by the global footballing authority.

Fifa dismissed FAM’s subsequent appeal last month, announcing a formal investigation into the association’s internal operations. The governing body also indicated plans to notify authorities in five countries regarding potential criminal proceedings linked to the document forgery. FAM has stated its intention to challenge the ruling further at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The scandal has ignited widespread discontent within Malaysia, with football fans and political figures demanding greater accountability from FAM and relevant government bodies. In an attempt to address the fallout, FAM suspended its secretary-general and established an independent committee to scrutinize what it described as a “technical error.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has publicly pledged full transparency in domestic investigations, urging FAM to present its defense. The Football Association of Malaysia has indicated it will seek the detailed reasoning behind Fifa’s decision before determining its next course of action, underscoring the ongoing ramifications of the eligibility controversy.

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Keywords: Fifa, Malaysia football, player eligibility, document forgery, FAM, international friendly, sports scandal, Fifa disciplinary committee