KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 16): An independent investigation committee (IIC) established by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has recommended internal disciplinary action against suspended FAM secretary general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, and a series of structural and governance reforms following its probe into disputed eligibility documents submitted to Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) involving seven national players.
Noor Azman was suspended on Oct 17, following the 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 former chief justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, found that Noor Azman had instructed the submission of the documents to Fifa without confirming their authenticity, despite the absence of original handwritten birth records from the National Registration Department. This, the IIC said, amounted to a lapse in due diligence and failure to follow proper internal procedures.
The IIC said in its 25-page report, disciplinary proceedings should be initiated to determine whether Noor Azman failed to exercise the level of oversight expected of his role and whether administrative sanctions or corrective measures are warranted.
Beyond individual accountability, the committee called for wide-ranging governance and administrative reforms at FAM to strengthen oversight and compliance. These include clearer roles and responsibilities for document verification, improved supervision of operational units, regular audits of player eligibility, and stricter controls over documents submitted to Fifa.
The IIC also recommended tighter regulation of football agents, enhanced verification of notarial documents, mandatory integrity and compliance training for staff and players, and stronger cooperation with Fifa’s integrity units and other enforcement bodies.
In a separate statement on Tuesday, FAM said its executive committee will convene a special meeting on Dec 22 (Monday) to deliberate in detail on the findings before deciding on any further course of action.
"FAM is committed to ensuring transparent and ethical governance, and will extend full cooperation to all relevant stakeholders to ensure the matter is addressed comprehensively and in accordance with the law," FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said in the statement.
The IIC was established by FAM on Oct 27, 2025. 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.