Indonesia responds to rumors of 'accusing' Malaysia at FIFA

The President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Mr. Erick Thohir, rejected claims that Indonesia meddled in FIFA's punishment against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

Recently, the President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Mr. Erick Thohir, dismissed accusations that Indonesia intervened in FIFA's sanctions on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the naturalized players on their team.

Previously, FIFA penalized FAM along with seven naturalized players of the Malaysian national team, banning them from representing Malaysia due to document forgery in the match against Vietnam during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Immediately after FIFA announced the sanctions, some parties in Malaysia accused Indonesia of influencing the global football organization's decision.

Mr. Erick Thohir denied this, affirming that Indonesia was not involved. “We do not interfere, nor do we meddle in the affairs of other countries,” he asserted.

He highlighted his support for Southeast Asian countries in their efforts to improve sports quality. “We, from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as myself personally, must certainly respect all Southeast Asian countries if they want to develop sports. We have to respect them,” he explained.

He also expressed his desire to promote Indonesian sports on the global stage without interfering in other countries' internal affairs. “We do not meddle in the politics or policies of each nation, but apologize if in Indonesia, we want sports to progress.

If we want football or badminton to improve, pencak silat to reach world-class level, or sports in general to develop, we have to do that. But we do not interfere in other countries' matters.”

FIFA has officially imposed sanctions on FAM and seven naturalized players of the Malaysian team. In the official statement, FIFA stated that FAM violated Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) related to document forgery.

Accordingly, FAM was fined 350,000 CHF (equivalent to 11.5 billion VND), and each player was fined 2,000 CHF (about 66 million VND). Additionally, the seven naturalized players were banned from playing for one year.

The list of banned players includes: Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, Imanol Machuca, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, and Rodrigo Holgado.

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