India, Jan. 29 -- The entire executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) resigned Wednesday after a scandal involving the naturalisation of seven foreign-born players led to FIFA sanctions, a court appeal and intensified scrutiny of the country's soccer governance. All committee members, elected 11 months ago for the 2025-2029 term, stepped down with immediate effect in a unanimous and voluntary decision in order to protect the association's credibility.

The mass resignation followed FIFA's decision last September to fine the association about $450,000 and suspending the seven players for a year after determining that fake documents had been filed to support their naturalization. The players - Facundo Garces, Rodrig...