‘Politically motivated’: Johor Regent slams Fifa sanctions on Malaysian heritage players

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail said the sanctions imposed by Fifa against seven Malaysian heritage players and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) appeared to be “politically motivated” rather than grounded in law.

He said Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code allows sanctions only for those who falsify or use falsified documents, which he stressed does not apply to the players.

“Fifa continues to punish the players by misapplying the law,” Tunku Ismail said in a statement on social media today.

He added that he would continue to stand by the affected players and support their efforts “at all cost till the end”.

The Regent confirmed that the matter will be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which he described as an independent body to seek justice for the players.

“Some choose to point fingers, some choose to make noise, while I choose to stand and support the fight for the players,” he said.

Fifa earlier upheld the sanctions against FAM and the seven players for alleged falsification of documents, a decision that FAM has said it will appeal to CAS.

The penalties include a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.9 million) for FAM and a 12-month suspension for each of the seven players involved.

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