JOHOR Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner, Tunku MahkoJohor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner, Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim claimed that there was an individual from the International Football Association (FIFA) who was trying to prevent the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) from bringing the issue of fraudulent documents of seven Harimau Malaya hybrid players to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
According to him, the instruction was allegedly conveyed to FAM Honorary President Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin to prevent the case from being taken to a higher level.
TMJ stressed that the attempt to obstruct the effort to seek justice was an inappropriate action and could affect the interests of national football.
"But he doesn't want us to go to CAS because he himself told the former president (Hamidin) not to go to CAS. I don't know if he's afraid or not... You can ask Tan Sri Hamidin himself … not to take it to CAS, there was also a threat that if he took it to CAS, he would be suspended or punished.
"We will go, winning or losing is not certain... He didn't say he wouldn't let us go, but, if possible, don't go to CAS," he said in an interview session with JDT supporters, in Johor Bahru.
More surprisingly, his Majesty revealed that there was pressure trying to prevent FAM from continuing the claim to CAS even though the issue involved the dignity and rights of the national squad.
At the same time, TMJ stressed that the issue involving seven Harimau Malaya hybrid players cannot be taken lightly because it affects the interests and future of Malaysian football on the international stage.
Earlier, Arena Metro reported that FAM is now at an important crossroads after CAS confirmed accepting their appeal against FIFA, filed yesterday.
In an official email from CAS communications officer, Vanessa Tracey to Arena Metro, it was explained that both parties are currently exchanging written documents in accordance with CAS procedural rules.
According to the record, the FIFA Appeals Committee previously rejected the appeal submitted by FAM and seven legacy players after examining all the evidence and arguments in the proceedings related to the document forgery case.
The seven players involved are Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
In the written decision issued, the body stressed that the case was a serious breach under Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), thus upholding all the previously imposed sanctions.
The punishment against FAM, which is a fine of CHF350,000 (RM1.9 million), was upheld in full, while the seven players involved also upheld their respective punishments including a fine of CHF2,000 (RM10,000) and a 12-month suspension from all football activities. – December 10, 2025
