The recent fiasco of FIFA action on Malaysia boils down to who is telling the truth. Is it FIFA or FAM? But this episode has exposed two more ethical questions: are we scoring goals in an empty goalpost?
What pride is there in climbing the FIFA rankings if the players wearing the Harimau Malaya jersey were from Argentina, Spain, or Brazil? What does it say about us when victory is not built on the sweat of our own youth, but purchased through a naturalization process that often skirts the edges of integrity?
Malaysia’s highest FIFA ranking — 75th in the world — was achieved in August 1993, with a squad made entirely of homegrown Malaysian citizens. Today, despite importing foreign-born players, we languish at 123rd. Who are we trying to fool?
While local talents struggle to get a place in our national team, there are many local academies today training young aspiring players and some are sent overseas to be trained but yet; the first eleven may be dominated by ‘foreign’ players.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) continues to receive substantial funding; RM15 million from the government in the last budget and another RM15 million from the private sector. Yet we may have to part with an additional RM1.8 million (CHF 350,000) fine from FIFA for falsified documents if we lose the appeal.
There is also a one-year ban on seven naturalized players for using forged papers to obtain citizenship. These are not minor infractions — they are serious allegations that stain our nation’s honor.
Double Standards
We claim that migrant workers “steal our jobs,” yet we roll out the red carpet for foreign footballers — while depriving our own local talents of the chance to represent the country. We speak of nationalism and patriotism, yet seem willing to sell our jersey to the foreign bidder.
If every country simply “bought” their national team, what would become of the prestigious World Cup of international football? Would the World Cup become a marketplace of mercenaries rather than a celebration of homegrown skill and national identity?
And what of the thousands of Malaysians-by-birth still denied citizenship — including stateless children and longtime residents — while foreign athletes are fast-tracked into nationality?
These are serious questions to answer while we play ball with FIFA.
We cannot on one hand exhibit xenophobia toward migrant workers while on the other hand cheer for naturalized athletes. We cannot claim to value fairness and then turn a blind eye to forged documents and ethical breaches.
It is time to ask if we are building a football culture or buying one; Are we nurturing local talent or looking for shortcuts to score a goal?
True national pride cannot be imported. It must be built, fairly and patiently, from the ground up.
S. Arutchelvan
Deputy Chairperson
Parti Soslialis Malaysia
30-9-2025