Tarnished image and cheating claims in Malaysia football scandal | Sports

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Damaging accusations of cheating and forgery are at the heart of a football eligibility scandal in Malaysia which a senior government minister said "tarnishes the country's image". World governing body FIFA last month suspended seven foreign-born Malaysia national team players for a year and fined the FA of Malaysia (FAM) $440,000. FIFA's disciplinary committee this week published a damning 19-page report detailing its findings. It said papers provided by FAM showed that the documents were forged or falsified "in that they were doctored to alter the birthplace listed therein". FAM maintains it acted in good faith, saying there had been a "technical error" and that it will appeal. As the controversy swirled, youth...