KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 16): The independent investigation committee (IIC) appointed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to investigate document forgery said it could not conclusively determine whether eligibility documents submitted to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) for seven naturalised Harimau Malaya players were forged, nor identify who may have falsified them, citing material investigative limitations.

It instead urged FAM to lodge a police report to enable a full criminal investigation.

In its 25-page report released on Tuesday, the committee, chaired by former chief justice of Malaysia Tun Md Raus Sharif, said that the alleged forgery of official documents constitutes a criminal offence under the Malaysian Penal Code and therefore falls outside the committee’s investigative powers. 

“The IIC has no power or authority to investigate matters that constitute a criminal offence. The relevant authority to investigate this type of criminal offence in Malaysia is under the purview of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM),” it said in the report.

The committee explained that the absence of evidence from the players’ agents and the non-appearance of the notary public whose seal appeared on the documents prevented it from establishing a definitive conclusion on the origins of the impugned documents or attributing responsibility for any alleged falsification.

A notary public is a legally appointed officer authorised to certify documents and attest to their authenticity, particularly for official and international use.

“The serious question is whether the impugned documents were forged documents. If they were forged, who are the individual(s) responsible for the same,” the committee said, adding that its inquiry was constrained by a lack of statutory powers to compel witnesses or the production of original records.

The IIC confirmed that the case arose from factual inconsistencies between documents submitted by FAM to Fifa stating that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia, and original birth certificates later obtained by Fifa that indicated otherwise.

However, the committee noted that it relied entirely on documents voluntarily provided by FAM and the cooperation of witnesses who agreed to be interviewed, limiting its ability to verify the authenticity of disputed documents or trace how they were prepared and certified.

"The seven players' agents, who were repeatedly identified as the individuals responsible for the preparations or sourcing of the impugned documents, did not provide any statement, nor were they available for examination by the IIC. As such, the IIC was unable to obtain direct clarification regarding the authenticity of the impugned documents," the report stated.

"In examining the notarial certification attested to the impugned documents, the IIC noted that the notary public expressly attested to have examined and compared the original documents with the certified copies. The IIC made several attempts to obtain his testimony to clarify the basis on which this certification was issued but he did not cooperate and could not be secured for an interview," it added. 

As a result, the IIC said it was unable to fully establish whether the discrepancies identified by Fifa arose from forgery, administrative lapses or other causes, and whether any individual or individuals were responsible.

The committee stressed that the Malaysian citizenship granted to the seven players was lawful and fell entirely outside the jurisdiction of FAM, Fifa or any sporting body.

“There are views and concerns expressed by the public about the process that led to the issuance of the citizenship certificates to the seven players. However, it must be noted that the IIC has no authority to review, evaluate or question the process of validity of the Malaysian government's decision in granting citizenship to the seven players,” the report said.

“The IIC notes that the authority empowered to determine whether a citizenship is lawful or unlawfully granted is the Malaysian courts,” it added. 

The committee confirmed that neither the Fifa Disciplinary Committee nor the Fifa Appeal Committee made any finding, comment or suggestion that the Malaysian citizenship granted to the players was unlawful, improper or irregular.

However, the IIC drew a clear distinction between citizenship and eligibility to represent Malaysia in international football, noting that the latter was governed exclusively by Fifa regulations and documentation requirements.

Under Fifa regulations, a player must demonstrate a clear and verifiable lineage or residency link to the country they represent, supported by authentic documentation, even if the player has already acquired citizenship under domestic law.

The IIC was established by FAM on Oct 27, 2025, following Fifa’s disciplinary decision to fine FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.9 million) and suspend seven players for 12 months for breaches relating to forged or falsified documents under the Fifa Disciplinary Code.

The committee, chaired by Md Raus, includes former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Kamaludin Md Said and former MACC director general Datuk Seri Dr Yusuf Ismail.

The seven players named in the report are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, 23, Facundo Tomas Garces, 26, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, 30, Imanol Javier Machuca, 25, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, 29, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, 28, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano, 29. 

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