KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are investigating national striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for breach of Fifa regulations.

In an email response to Mailsport over two incidents that occurred at the Malaysia-Bahrain Asian Cup qualifiers Group D match at Shah Alam Stadium last Tuesday, AFC confirmed investigations were underway. Mailsport had highlighted the issue last Thursday.

The match ended 1-1 with Norshahrul’s 70th minute goal celebrations courting controversy. Norshahrul, who stars for Super League outfit Johor Darul Takzim, lifted his shirt to reveal a religious message breaching Fifa Laws of the Games Law 4 (Players Equipment).

The regulation prohibits the use of “political, religious or commercial messages” during matches.

The ruling extends to a player’s undershirt.

After the final whistle, smoke bombs were lit by fans.

In general, players are prohibited from revealing any message on their undershirts no matter how noble the cause may be. Fifa leaves it to competition organisers to implement the rule.

“AFC is investigating the matter. We will study the reports of AFC Match Commissioner and other officials before deciding on further action,” said the AFC spokesman.

Malaysia are unlikely to face sanctions over Norshahrul’s act but could have a case to answer over the use of smoke bombs at the end of the match. Diehard fan group Ultras Malaya had filled the stadium with smoke after the final whistle.

Fifa Stadium Safety and Security Regulations Article 52 (C) prohibits the use of “flares, fireworks and other forms of pyrotechnics in the stadium.”

In 2011, Fifa fined FAM 4,500 Swiss Francs (RM16,000) for crowd trouble during the World Cup qualifier against Singapore at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. One fan lost his right eye after being struck by firecracker fragments.