2026-09-30,PETALING JAYA

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) has apologised to national football supporters following the document forgery controversy involving seven heritage players that shocked the national football scene last year.

FAM president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said the apology was made on behalf of the national football governing body, including the new executive committee (exco) line-up currently leading FAM.

He said FAM's new leadership takes the issue seriously and provides a guarantee that a similar incident will not recur throughout the remainder of the 2025–2029 term.

"On behalf of the entire FAM executive committee today, I apologise to all Malaysian football supporters over the document forgery issue involving seven heritage players that occurred last year," he said when met on Wednesday.

Ab Ghani said this at a press conference after chairing the sixth executive committee meeting for the 2025–2029 term at Wisma FAM.

He noted that moving forward, FAM must streamline every process involving documentation and players called up to represent Harimau Malaya to ensure all matters are handled with greater diligence and adhere to established procedures.

"I give my commitment that throughout my tenure leading FAM, such an issue or incident will not be allowed to happen again," he said.

In September last year, FIFA found elements of alteration or forgery in documents relating to the eligibility of the country's seven 'heritage' players.

Following that, FAM was fined RM1.7 million, while each player was fined RM9,800 alongside a 12-month suspension.