KUALA LUMPUR – Bank Islam Berhad’s 12-year partnership with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is reportedly under review amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the seven heritage players.
The scrutiny comes after FAM removed the bank’s name from its official website as a partner and sponsor, raising questions about whether the Shariah-compliant institution is distancing itself from the governing body due to reputational concerns.
A source within FAM told Scoop that discussions between the bank and the association are expected soon.
“A meeting will be held as the bank is concerned about the negative associations arising from this controversy,” the source said.
“FAM and Bank Islam only recently renewed their strategic partnership under a memorandum of understanding running until 2027. Should the bank withdraw, it would be a serious setback for FAM.”
The source added that Bank Islam is particularly sensitive about its public image, noting that FIFA has repeatedly described the case as involving document forgery.
“The bank has also faced scrutiny from conservative Muslim groups who question why it should be associated with an organisation under investigation by FIFA, which they argue contradicts Islamic principles,” the source added.
Bank Islam has been a long-standing supporter of Malaysian football. Its strategic partnership with FAM, now in its fifth renewal, includes joint marketing initiatives and the Team Harimau co-branded Debit-i Card programme.
The card, which has more than two million users, allows fans to show support for the national football team while accessing digital banking services such as ATM withdrawals and cashless payments locally and abroad.
Under the agreement, RM2 from every card issuance, annual fee, and replacement fee is contributed to FAM to fund youth development programmes and nurture emerging football talent.
Beyond financial support, Bank Islam also organises fan activation events, both online and on-site, including match-day booths, co-branding activities, social media campaigns, and competitions aimed at engaging supporters of the Harimau Malaya squad.
The partnership also promotes digital banking and cashless payments, aligning with Malaysia’s broader push towards a cashless society.
The controversy centres on Malaysia’s use of seven heritage players during the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers, including individuals from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands, who were later found to have submitted falsified documents claiming Malaysian ancestry.
In September, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee fined FAM a total of 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.9 million) and handed 12-month bans to each of the seven players.
FAM’s appeal was subsequently rejected, and the case is now headed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a verdict expected by early 2026.
If CAS upholds the sanctions, Malaysia could face severe consequences, including annulled results, lost points, and exclusion from the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. – November 10, 2025