KUALA LUMPUR — The Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail (TMJ), has alleged that a sabotage campaign is underway to pin the blame on him in the document forgery case involving seven Harimau Malaya players.
In a series of posts on X, TMJ said certain individuals within the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) should take responsibility instead of shifting the blame onto him.
The Johor Regent, who is also the owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), alleged that several individuals within FAM had long been dissatisfied with him, claiming they were unable to profit from certain dealings.
“Some people within FAM have never been happy with me because they can’t make money. Some came asking for my help to secure projects, while others asked for assistance to avoid being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), among other things,” he wrote.
He further claimed that dissatisfaction grew after the government stepped in to provide funding for the national team, with some parties allegedly unhappy because they were not involved.
According to TMJ, certain individuals then quietly approached Ultras Malaya supporters, members of the media, and figures on social media in what he described as a campaign to sabotage him by pushing various narratives.
“The FIFA case is about forgery, not eligibility for citizenship, but the falsification and submission of documents,” he said.
“Who submitted the incorrect documents? The agent, and who within FAM? Why were valid documents from the National Registration Department (JPN) not submitted? Because they wanted to protect insiders, while the players were made the scapegoats.”
Tunku Mahkota Ismail said those responsible within the association should be held accountable.
“Those on the inside should take responsibility. Don’t wash your hands of it and use supporters and the media to make me the scapegoat,” he said.
His remarks came after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced last Thursday that it had dismissed an appeal by FAM and seven players involved in the case.
The players — Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, Gabriel Palmero, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces, and Rodrigo Holgado had challenged FIFA’s earlier ruling.
Following the decision, FIFA’s sanctions remain in force, including a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.8 million) imposed on the national football governing body and a 12-month suspension for the seven players. – March 10, 2026