KUALA LUMPUR – As the case involving the seven Malaysian heritage players remains unresolved, a new development has surfaced involving former Arsenal player Josh Robinson, who is believed to have Malaysian roots.
According to an article published on arsenal.com on February 24, Robinson revealed details about his multicultural background, which includes Jamaican, Malaysian, and English heritage.
“I grew up in Leyton, East London, and my family background is that my father is from Jamaica, while my mother is Malaysian and English,” he said in the article.
If the claim proves to be true and Robinson expresses interest in representing Malaysia, it could be a positive boost for the national team, Harimau Malaya, to enlist his services.
However, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will first need to verify his lineage to confirm whether he indeed has Malaysian ancestry.
The Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail (TMJ), who also owns Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), recently urged anyone with information on players of Malaysian descent to come forward and share it with the national football body.
“Any club owner or those involved in Malaysian football – whether from state football associations, owners, or CEOs – if they have agents or information about any Malaysian heritage players who are eligible to represent the country, the right thing to do is to approach FAM.
“FAM must then provide any relevant details to the government. As for assisting the national team in every aspect, I will not stop,” said Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
Robinson, 20, is a right-back who can also operate as a centre-back. He came through Arsenal’s academy before leaving the club in June this year and has since signed for Wigan Athletic, who compete in England’s League One. – October 29, 2025