Fifa is set to launch a formal investigation into the internal operations of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), after the global football body suspended seven naturalised players of the national team over the alleged use of doctored documents, Reuters reported.

The players were banned for 12 months, after Fifa found that false documentation had been used so they could play in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in June.

Fifa said: “This investigation shall aim to identify the individuals responsible for the falsification of documents, assess the adequacy and effectiveness of FAM’s internal compliance and governance mechanisms, and determine whether additional disciplinary measures are warranted against FAM officials.”