KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — Indonesia’s youth and sports minister Erick Thohir has denied allegations that his country played a role in the sanctions imposed by Fifa on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalised national players.
Thohir, who also chairs the Football Association of Indonesia, said Indonesia does not interfere in the internal affairs or sporting policies of other nations, according to a Free Malaysia Today report.
“We do not interfere with the politics or policies of other countries, but of course, we want sports in Indonesia to progress,” he said, as quoted by online news portal Detik20.
“We want our football to improve, badminton to excel, pencak silat to go global. We aim for our sports to advance, but we do not intervene in other countries’ issues,” he added.
Fifa sanctioned FAM following Malaysia’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, during which seven naturalised players were fielded.
The players involved were Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
Fifa said it received a complaint regarding the players’ eligibility after Malaysia’s 1–0 win, its first victory over Vietnam in 11 years.
The disciplinary committee found FAM in breach of Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code, which pertains to forgery and falsification.
Fifa imposed a 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.8 million) fine on FAM, while each of the seven players received a 2,000 Swiss francs (around RM10,560) fine and a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities, effective from the date the decision was communicated.
FAM secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman attributed the issue to a “technical error” by staff.
Acting president Yusoff Mahadi said the association had followed proper procedures and would appeal the decision.
