Overview
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Jorge Palacio (Colombia), found the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven foreign-born players guilty of forgery and falsification (Art. 22, FIFA Disciplinary Code 2025).
Case Ref: FDD-24394
Players involved:
- Gabriel Felipe Arrocha (Spain)
- Facundo Tomás Garcés (Argentina)
- Rodrigo Julián Holgado (Argentina)
- Imanol Javier Machuca (Argentina)
- João Vítor Brandão Figueiredo (Brazil)
- Jon Irazabal Iraurgui (Spain)
- Héctor Alejandro Hevel Serrano (Netherlands)
Background & Key Facts
- Between March and June 2025, FAM filed eligibility inquiries with FIFA seeking approval for the seven players to represent Malaysia.
- Each application included birth certificates claiming that a grandparent of the player had been born in Malaysia (Malacca, Penang, Johor, Sarawak, etc.).
- FIFA initially replied that the players “appeared eligible” based on the information supplied.
- All seven were subsequently fielded in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers match vs Vietnam (10 June 2025), which Malaysia won 4-0; Figueiredo and Holgado scored.
A complaint was then lodged alleging that the players were not genuinely of Malaysian descent.
FIFA Investigation Findings
FIFA’s Secretariat obtained original birth certificates from the respective foreign civil registries.
Every original document contradicted the Malaysian-born claims:
| Player | Ancestor | Birthplace in FAM submission | True birthplace (original) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Arrocha | María B. C. Martín | Malacca (MY) | Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain |
| 2 Garcés | Carlos R. Fernandez | Penang (MY) | Santa Fé de la Cruz, Argentina |
| 3 Holgado | Omar E. H. Gardon | George Town (MY) | Caseros, Buenos Aires |
| 4 Machuca | Concepción A. Alaniz | Penang (MY) | Roldán, Argentina |
| 5 Figueiredo | Nair de Oliveira | Johor (MY) | Abre Campo, Brazil |
| 6 Irazabal | Gregorio I. y Lamiquiz | Kuching (MY) | Guernica y Luno, Spain |
| 7 Hevel | Hendrik J. Hevel | Malacca Straits (MY) | The Hague, Netherlands |
The Investigatory Reports concluded that the documents used by FAM were forged to alter the birthplaces of the players’ ancestors.
FAM and Players’ Defence
FAM and the players argued that:
- They relied on Malaysia’s National Registration Department (NRD), which verified lineage and issued official confirmation.
- They had no knowledge or intent to falsify documents.
- All players were lawfully naturalised Malaysians and gained no unfair sporting advantage.
- Any breach was formal only, not substantive.
- Requested leniency or closure of the case, or alternatively a mild fine.
Committee’s Legal Assessment
Jurisdiction & Applicable Law
- FIFA Disciplinary Committee had jurisdiction under Arts. 2, 22 and 55 FDC (2025).
- The offence falls under Art. 22 – Forgery and Falsification, which applies strict liability.
- Associations are responsible for offences by their officials or players—even without intent.
Findings on Merits
- Original vs submitted birth certificates showed clear falsification.
- Malaysia’s NRD admitted it had no original records and issued copies based on foreign data, weakening FAM’s due-diligence defence.
- The forged documents were decisive in obtaining FIFA’s provisional eligibility confirmations.
- Using those documents had real impact: five players started the Vietnam match and two scored, affecting competition integrity.
- FIFA’s earlier “appeared eligible” letters did not constitute official confirmation.
- Therefore both FAM and the Players breached Art. 22 FDC.
Sanctions Imposed
On Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)
- Fine: CHF 350,000 (≈ RM 1.8 million) — calculated at CHF 50,000 per player.
On Each Player
- Fine: CHF 2,000
- Ban: 12-month suspension from all football-related activities worldwide, effective from date of notification (6 Oct 2025).
Payment Deadline
- All fines payable to FIFA within 30 days of notification.
Appeal Rights
- FAM and players may appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee within 3 days of notification;
the full appeal brief must follow within 5 days, with a CHF 1,000 appeal fee.
Committee Rationale & Remarks
- Forgery directly undermines the integrity and credibility of international football.
- The case represents a deliberate circumvention of eligibility rules to naturalise players lacking authentic Malaysian lineage.
- The Committee stressed that its decision must act as a deterrent and reaffirm zero-tolerance on fraud.
- Comparisons were drawn with previous cases (e.g. Equatorial Guinea 2016 Olympic forgery, Club Chabab Mrirt) where bans and large fines were imposed.
Final Decision Summary
| Party | Breach | Sanction |
|---|---|---|
| Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) | Art. 22 FDC – use of forged documents | Fine CHF 350 000 |
| Gabriel Felipe Arrocha (ESP) | Art. 22 FDC | Fine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban |
| Facundo Tomás Garcés (ARG) | Art. 22 FDC | Fine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban |
| Rodrigo Julián Holgado (ARG) | Art. 22 FDC | Fine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban |
| Imanol Javier Machuca (ARG) | Art. 22 FDC | Fine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban |
| João Vítor Brandão Figueiredo (BRA) | Art. 22 FDC | Fine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban |
| Jon Irazabal Iraurgui (ESP) | Art. 22 FDC | Fine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban |
| Héctor Alejandro Hevel Serrano (NED) | Art. 22 FDC | Fine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban |
Essence of the Verdict
FIFA determined that FAM and the seven players used forged birth certificates to obtain Malaysian eligibility, thus violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The ruling delivers the heaviest sanction ever imposed on FAM for document falsification, combining financial penalties and one-year player bans, with immediate effect from 6 October 2025.