KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Football Association of Malaysia announced the suspension of its secretary general on Friday pending an investigation after soccer governing body FIFA accused the country of cheating by fielding ineligible players.

In September, FIFA suspended seven overseas-born players who all featured for Malaysia in a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier and fined FAM $438,000, citing falsified or doctored documentation involving the players' grandparents. Malaysia beat Vietnam 4-0 in the June game.

FAM Vice President Sivasundaram Sithamparam Pillai said Friday that FAM has formed a committee to investigate the case and ensure similar incidents do not happen again. He said FAM secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman has been suspended so that the committee can carry out its probe

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