Due to the controversy surrounding the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the issue of 7 heritage national players suspended by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) may enter the next chapter.
Based on a report by Harian Metro, it is understood that the 7 players are considering claiming damages from FAM, which previously admitted that there was a technical error in the document submission process by the FAM administration staff.
7 heritage Malaysian football players suspended by FIFA are considering suing FAM
A source shared that the move is being considered by the players in question following the negligence that led to them being suspended by FIFA for 12 months. Due to this, the players have lost their livelihoods after their contracts were immediately terminated by the club over this issue.
“It is understood that lawyers abroad are in talks with the 7 players to consider suing FAM for the technical error that they themselves confirmed. (The 7 players) can do that, and it is not surprising because their livelihoods are gone due to the suspension,”
“The move to claim damages is to enable them to clear their names. This is important for them to find new clubs after the suspension period ends,” the source said.
Where this all started
On 28 September, FAM Secretary-General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman confirmed a technical error in the document submission process by his party, causing FIFA to suspend FAM.
The FIFA Appeals Committee maintained the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which upheld the 12-month suspension on the 7 players and a fine of CHF2,000 (~RM10,300) each and CHF350,000 (~RM1.8 million) to FAM.
The 7 players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garcas, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Iraurgui and Hector Hevel, for violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code relating to forging documents.
Following this, an independent committee was established by FAM to investigate when Noor Azman’s duties as Secretary-General were temporarily suspended, to enable processes to be carried out fairly and transparently.
FAM is currently awaiting a written decision, and upon receipt of the decision, they have 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
What do you think about this? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: 22yo M’sian Awarded RM7.4 Million After Hospital Govt’s Negligence Caused Him to Lose Arm & Leg
