KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has emphasised that their accountability lies solely with FIFA and that they are not required to justify their decisions to critics concerning the legitimacy of the newly signed heritage players.
The governing body is responding to increasing criticism regarding the eligibility of heritage players, as many are urging FAM to provide clarification about the players’ backgrounds and their ties to Malaysia.
Recently, FAM introduced five new heritage players: Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, and Facundo Garcés.
Machuca, Holgado, and Garcés are from Argentina, Figueiredo is from Brazil, and Irazabal is from Spain.
Up to this point, Garcés is the only one who has clearly stated that his link to Malaysia comes from his grandmother.
Speaking to reporters after FAM’s first Extraordinary Congress of 2025 at the Dorsett Hotel in Subang Jaya today, FAM president Datuk Joehari Mohd Ayob said that the recruitment process for the heritage players was carried out in accordance with proper procedures and in full compliance with FIFA regulations.
“We followed all the required processes for the heritage players, and there were no discrepancies in any of the documentation. FIFA was kept fully informed throughout and they were the ones who approved everything. So why should critics turn this into an issue?
“We are not obligated to anyone else. There is no need for us to explain how we scout heritage players or the steps we take. We have a specialised department for that, and we answer only to FIFA — no one else.
“We are doing our very best to move Malaysian football forward with the resources we have. It would be more constructive if critics could support us in our efforts rather than pulling us down,” said Joehari.
The five heritage players played a crucial role in Peter Cklamovski’s side when Malaysia defeated arch-rivals Vietnam 4–0 in the Asian Cup Group F qualifiers at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on June 10.
Following calls from sceptical rival fans across Southeast Asia and local critics urging FIFA to investigate Malaysia’s latest heritage player signings, it was reported that FIFA had assured all parties that FAM did not breach any regulations in the recruitment process and that all procedures were conducted in full compliance with eligibility rules. – June 30, 2025