Malaysia FA backs AFC reforms after governance audit
Malaysia’s football federation has approved sweeping governance reforms after an AFC audit identified systemic weaknesses across its operations.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have approved a wide-ranging governance overhaul after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) identified major weaknesses in the national body’s structure, administration and operations.All 18 FAM affiliates unanimously approved 94 statute amendments proposed by the AFC at an Extraordinary Congress in Petaling Jaya on June 4, 2026.The reforms follow an AFC audit launched after FIFA accused FAM of using doctored documentation to field seven naturalised players in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam last year. FAM have denied wrongdoing and said they were investigating a technical error.The AFC later overturned Malaysia’s qualifying wins over Nepal and Vietnam, effectively ending the national team’s hopes of progressing in the competition.The audit found FAM scored below two out of five in most major areas reviewed, including governance, legal, finance and football development.AFC deputy general secretary Vahid Kardany said the findings showed FAM were at “a pre-intermediate level in terms of organisation.”The audit also found that FAM had operated without formally approved budgets since 2016, despite approval being a regulatory requirement.The approved reforms include abolishing the deputy president role, reducing the number of vice-presidential seats to three and restructuring the FAM Executive Committee.The new Executive Committee structure will allocate seats to state associations, club representatives, a women’s representative and one expert seat, which could be filled by a representative from the coaches’ association, the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia or the referees’ association.The reforms also propose expanding FAM’s affiliate membership by granting Super League clubs automatic affiliate status and voting rights at congresses, provided they are separate entities from state football associations.Representatives from the Amateur Football League, National Women’s League, Malaysia Premier Futsal League, Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia and Referees Association are also set to become FAM affiliates.AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John chaired the Extraordinary Congress, which was attended by FAM officials, delegates from all 18 affiliates and FIFA and AFC representatives and observers.FAM affiliates also approved the Electoral Code and Organisational Regulations of the national governing body.The reform process follows the collective resignation in January of all members of the FAM Executive Committee for the 2025-29 term.FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin said the issue involving the seven naturalised players would be addressed after the association elects its new leadership committee in September.