Can Malaysian football ‘reset’? Mass resignations kick off debate about possible reboot

Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say

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Published: 4:08pm, 30 Jan 2026Updated: 4:12pm, 30 Jan 2026

Malaysia’s football leadership resigned en masse this week in what it called a governance move to protect the sport, but critics say any “reset” will count only if the association explains how allegedly forged eligibility documents were submitted and who will be held responsible.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) late on Thursday said it had formally informed Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that all members of its executive committee for the 2025–2029 term had “unanimously and voluntarily” resigned with immediate effect.

In a letter dated Wednesday and signed by its secretary general, Noor Azman Rahman, FAM said the collective resignation was taken “without consideration to personal interests or positions” and was meant to “uphold institutional responsibility, good governance and the long-term interests of Malaysian football”.

Noor Azman will now take charge of FAM’s day-to-day administration “to ensure continuity, stability and the uninterrupted functioning of the Association”, pending further direction from Fifa and the AFC, according to the letter.

Members of FAM’s executive committee leave its headquarters after resigning on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Former FAM acting president Mohd Yusoff Mahadi framed the walkout as an attempt to ring-fence the sport from further fallout.

Can Malaysian football ‘reset’? Mass resignations kick off debate about possible reboot

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say

Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say