MAHAR Slams FIFA Over Sanctions on Malaysian Players, Labels Decision Hypocritical

The Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (MAHAR) has condemned FIFA’s decision to suspend seven Malaysian footballers and fine the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), describing the move as unjust and hypocritical.

MAHAR president Jismi Johari said that while his organisation respects sporting regulations, it cannot ignore what he called “blatant double standards” by football’s world governing body.

“The rapid and public announcement of sanctions against our players—despite FAM confirming it will appeal, and noting that FIFA had previously cleared the players’ eligibility—suggests questionable motives behind this decision,” Jismi said in a statement on Sunday.

He contrasted FIFA’s swift ruling with its “deafening silence” on Israel, whose national team continues to compete internationally despite, he claimed, “overwhelming evidence of genocide and human rights violations by its government.”

On Friday, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee sanctioned FAM and seven players for breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, relating to forgery and falsification. FIFA alleged that FAM submitted doctored documents during eligibility checks in order to field the players in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on 10 June.

Jismi criticised what he saw as political bias, citing how Russia was swiftly banned from international football following its invasion of Ukraine. “FIFA’s principles appear shaped not by justice or humanitarian values, but by political convenience and tolerance of grave injustices,” he said.

“This is not just about football; it is about fairness and humanity. How can an organisation claiming to champion fair play punish Malaysian players for a bureaucratic error while ignoring atrocities elsewhere? The speed of this ruling, issued even before FAM’s appeal process, raises doubts over whether this was genuine disciplinary action or a politically motivated move. It is a moral failure of the highest order.”

MAHAR declared its solidarity with FAM and the affected players, urging FIFA to reconsider what it called disproportionate sanctions.

Jismi also challenged FIFA to show “true moral leadership” by suspending Israel until it complies with international law. “Failure to act will only cement FIFA’s reputation as an organisation that prioritises politics over human lives and the values it claims to uphold,” he said.

He added that MAHAR, along with other humanitarian organisations and concerned citizens globally, will continue pressing for fair and consistent application of international sporting regulations.