Is the President of the Malaysian Football Association facing serious trouble over naturalized players?

A well-known Malaysian newspaper has reported that the President of the country's Football Association may be removed due to issues related to player naturalization.

Recently, the New Straits Times unexpectedly revealed details concerning the leadership of the Malaysian Football Association (FAM). Specifically, the newspaper suggested that Datuk Joehari Ayub, who currently serves as FAM President, might lose his position amid controversies involving naturalized players.

This was cited in the article as follows: "... Sources indicate that this position could soon become vacant, and Vice President Datuk Yusof Mahadi is reportedly prepared to step in temporarily if there are any changes. When asked, Yusof simply replied: 'Let's wait until next time... maybe next week.'

Other FAM officials, including Secretary General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, also declined to comment but did not deny the rumors."

Notably, Datuk Joehari Ayub was elected as FAM President for the 2025-2029 term in February this year without opposition, becoming the first person from Sabah to hold the highest position in the national football federation. However, he is currently facing allegations related to violations of player naturalization policies.

Specifically, Facundo Garces, a naturalized star originally from Argentina, claimed to have Malaysian bloodline from his "great-grandfather." However, this statement has sparked doubts about the legality of his naturalization process under FAM’s sponsorship.

Risk of violating FIFA regulations According to Article 7 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, a player is only eligible to represent a national team if they meet one of the following conditions: a parent or grandparent born in that country, the player themselves born there, or continuous residence for at least five years after turning 18 in that country.

This means that if Garces relies solely on ancestry from a great-grandfather to obtain citizenship, he would not meet FIFA’s eligibility criteria.

If FIFA intervenes and determines that Garces is ineligible to play for Malaysia’s national team, the 1999-born star could face appropriate sanctions, including annulment of match results. This could affect outcomes in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, including the victory over Vietnam in June.

Currently, FAM has not issued any official statements. Meanwhile, Facundo Garces, the 26-year-old star, remains silent following the controversial remarks.

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