Malaysia ‘Deeply Shocked’ as FIFA upholds Sanctions in Player Eligibility Scandal
KUALA LUMPUR: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) says it is “deeply shocked” after FIFA rejected its appeal over sanctions linked to forged ancestry documents that allowed seven foreign-born players to represent Malaysia’s national team.
The case stems from a September ruling in which FIFA found FAM guilty of falsifying documents claiming the players’ grandparents were born in Penang or Malacca. Official records revealed they were actually from Argentina, Spain, Brazil, and the Netherlands. FIFA described the offence as a “pure and simple form of cheating.”
FIFA’s Appeal Committee dismissed FAM’s bid to overturn the decision, confirming penalties that include a 350,000 Swiss franc (US$432,000) fine for FAM and 12-month bans plus 2,000-franc fines for each player.
Acting FAM president Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the association would request FIFA’s full written reasoning before deciding whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. “Our lawyers and management are deeply shocked by the outcome,” he said, adding that FAM would “continue to defend the players’ rights” and Malaysia’s football interests internationally.
FAM insists the errors were unintentional, blaming a “technical mistake” by an administrative officer. The federation has since suspended its secretary general and appointed an independent committee to investigate.
The seven suspended players — Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano — had featured in Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign earlier this year.
The controversy has embarrassed Malaysia as it seeks to improve its global football standing. The Harimau Malaya (Malayan Tigers) currently rank 118th in the latest FIFA standings.
The recruitment drive for “heritage players” was reportedly led by Johor’s Crown Prince, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, a key figure in Malaysian football through his Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) club. He defended the players’ citizenship, calling them “legitimate Malaysians” and warning critics not to “undermine [the country’s] sovereignty and diversity.”
However, public reaction has been harsh. Many fans accused FAM of mismanagement and using the players as scapegoats.
One fan wrote on social media: “FIFA has shown proof. FAM hasn’t shown us anything. Taking it to CAS just looks like another delay tactic.”
