Tag: malaysia

CAS Rules on Malaysia Eligibility Controversy: Seven Players Banned from Matches

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has partially amended the sanctions imposed on seven footballers who were previously ruled ineligible to represent Malaysia, confirming a 12-month suspension from official matches but allowing the players to continue training and participating in other football-related activities.

In a media release issued on 5 March 2026 from Lausanne, Switzerland, CAS announced that it had partly upheld the appeals filed by the players against the decision by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The case concerned allegations of falsified documents used during the naturalisation and eligibility process for the Malaysian national team.

Background of the Case

The case dates back to 2025 when the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) approached seven foreign players to potentially represent Malaysia at international level. The players involved were:

  • Facundo Tomás Garcés Rattaro
  • Rodrigo Julián Holgado
  • Imanol Javier Machuca
  • João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo
  • Gabriel Felipe Arrocha
  • Jon Irazabal Iraurgi
  • Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano

Following the process, the players underwent naturalisation procedures and were issued Malaysian passports.

However, on 25 September 2025, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that FAM and the players had violated the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) after determining that falsified documents had been used in the naturalisation and eligibility process. FIFA concluded that the players had no legitimate connection to Malaysia that would justify their eligibility.

As a result, FIFA imposed a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities on the players, along with a fine of CHF 2,000 for each player. FAM was also fined CHF 350,000. The decision was later upheld by the FIFA Appeal Committee on 3 November 2025.

Appeals Taken to CAS

FAM and the players subsequently filed consolidated appeals with CAS on 5 December 2025.

In its appeal, FAM acknowledged the presence of what it described as “institutional shortcomings” and accepted that it may bear responsibility for breaching the FIFA Disciplinary Code. However, the association argued that the players had only provided documents requested by FAM and did not prepare or alter the documents themselves.

FAM requested that the FIFA decision be set aside and proposed that any sanction should not exceed a fine of CHF 50,000.

Meanwhile, the players appealed for the complete annulment of the FIFA Appeal Committee’s decision, arguing that they had not acted with intent or negligence. Alternatively, they requested that any sanctions imposed should be proportionate to their role in the case.

The appeals were heard by a CAS panel consisting of Lars Hilliger (Denmark) as President, alongside José Luis Andrade (Portugal) and Massimo Coccia (Italy). The hearing took place in person on 26 February 2026 at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne.

CAS Decision

After reviewing the evidence, the CAS Panel concluded that the use of falsified eligibility documents had indeed occurred. The panel ruled that a 12-month ban was a reasonable and proportionate sanction, given the players’ involvement in the process.

However, CAS determined that the suspension should apply only to official matches, rather than to all football-related activities.

This adjustment means the players are allowed to continue training and working with their respective clubs during the suspension period, but they remain barred from participating in official matches.

The ban officially begins on 5 March 2026, with credit given for the period already served between 25 September 2025 and 26 January 2026, when the original suspension had effectively been in force.

CAS also ruled that FAM’s fine of CHF 350,000 remains justified and proportionate, dismissing the association’s appeal on the matter.

Next Steps

CAS clarified that the announcement represents an operative decision without detailed grounds, meaning the full written award explaining the panel’s reasoning will be issued at a later date. For legal purposes, only the wording of the final written decision will be binding.

The ruling brings partial relief for the affected players, who can now continue training and maintaining their professional careers while serving their match suspensions. At the same time, the decision reinforces the strict regulatory framework governing player eligibility and international representation in football.

Inside FIFA’s Case Against FAM: What the Independent Investigation Reveals

Below is a detailed summary of the Report of the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on FIFA’s Case against FAM and Seven Malaysian National Team Players.

1. Background & Purpose of the Investigation

  • On 27 October 2025, FAM appointed Tun Md Raus Sharif, former Chief Justice of Malaysia, as Chairman of an Independent Investigation Committee (IIC).
  • The IIC’s mandate was to investigate FIFA’s disciplinary case involving:
    • FAM, and
    • Seven naturalised players who represented Malaysia.
  • The investigation focused on whether forged or falsified documents were used in FIFA eligibility proceedings.

2. FIFA’s Case Against FAM and the Seven Players

Legal Basis

  • FIFA charged FAM and the players under Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code 2025, which criminalises:
    • Forging documents,
    • Falsifying authentic documents, or
    • Using forged/falsified documents in football-related matters.

The Seven Players

  • The players were foreign-born (Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands).
  • They represented Malaysia after obtaining Malaysian citizenship through naturalisation.

3. Timeline of Key Events

  1. Early 2025
    • FAM submitted documents to FIFA via the FIFA Legal Portal to confirm player eligibility.
    • Documents included:
      • Passports,
      • Malaysian citizenship documents,
      • Grandparents’ birth certificates allegedly showing birth in Malaysia,
      • Declarations that players had not represented other national teams.
  2. March–June 2025
    • FIFA responded (27 March, 6 June, 9 June 2025) that the players appeared eligible based on submitted documents.
  3. 10 June 2025
    • All seven players played against Vietnam in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
    • Two of the players scored.
  4. 11 June 2025
    • FIFA received a formal complaint questioning the legitimacy of the players’ eligibility.
  5. FIFA Investigation
    • FIFA obtained original birth records of the players’ grandparents.
    • These records contradicted the documents submitted by FAM.

4. Core Findings of FIFA

  • The birthplace information of the grandparents submitted by FAM was false.
  • FIFA concluded:
    • The documents were forged or falsified.
    • The documents were used to circumvent FIFA eligibility rules.
  • Under Article 22(2), FAM was held liable for acts committed by officials or players.

5. FIFA Disciplinary Decision (25 September 2025)

  • FIFA found FAM and all seven players guilty of breaching Article 22.
  • Sanctions imposed:
    • FAM fined CHF 350,000 (CHF 50,000 per player; ≈ RM1.8 million).
    • Match bans and further sanctions imposed on players (per FIFA code).

6. Malaysian Government’s Position on Citizenship

Key Clarifications by the Minister of Home Affairs

  • The seven players:
    • Were lawfully granted Malaysian citizenship under Article 19(2) of the Federal Constitution.
    • Met all legal and constitutional requirements.
  • Documents issued by National Registration Department (NRD) were:
    • Authentic,
    • Not forged,
    • Not part of FIFA’s allegations.

Critical Legal Distinction

  • Citizenship ≠ FIFA eligibility
    • Citizenship is governed by Malaysian sovereign law.
    • Eligibility to represent Malaysia is governed solely by FIFA regulations.

7. IIC’s Position on Citizenship

  • The IIC did not and could not challenge citizenship decisions:
    • Citizenship matters fall exclusively under Malaysian courts and the Federal Government.
  • The IIC confirmed:
    • The players are legally Malaysian citizens.
    • Citizenship alone does not guarantee eligibility to play for the national team.

8. The Forged Documents Issue (Central Problem)

FIFA Eligibility Rule (Article 7)

To represent a country, a player must show at least one genuine link:

  • Birth in the country, or
  • Parent born in the country, or
  • Grandparent born in the country, or
  • Long-term residence.

What Went Wrong

  • The seven players relied on grandparents’ birth certificates.
  • Documents submitted by FAM stated grandparents were born in:
    • Malacca, Penang, Johor, Kuching, etc.
  • FIFA’s investigation proved grandparents were actually born in:
    • Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands.

➡ This contradiction formed the basis of FIFA’s forgery charge.

9. Responsibility & Evidence Assessment

FAM Administration

  • Legal Manager (Zainul Ariffin):
    • Uploaded documents to FIFA.
    • Acted on instructions of the General Secretary.
  • General Secretary (Datuk Noor Azman):
    • Admitted FAM staff handled and formatted documents.
    • Acknowledged lack of proper verification.
    • Retained ultimate administrative responsibility.

National Team Setup (MNFTS)

  • Led by Rob Friend (CEO).
  • Claimed documents came from players’ agents.
  • No evidence of direct involvement in forgery.

Players

  • All seven players stated:
    • Agents handled documentation.
    • They relied entirely on FAM and agents.
    • They were not aware of document falsification.

Critical Gaps

  • Players’ agents did not cooperate.
  • Notary Public (Lee Lin Jee) who certified documents:
    • Failed to appear,
    • Could not be questioned on authenticity.

➡ As a result, the IIC could not conclusively identify who forged the documents.

10. Key Conclusions of the IIC

  • Forgery did occur, as confirmed by FIFA.
  • The exact perpetrator could not be identified due to:
    • Non-cooperation of agents,
    • Absence of the Notary Public.
  • There were serious failures in governance, oversight, and due diligence within FAM.

11. IIC Recommendations

1. Criminal Investigation

  • FAM should immediately lodge a police report.
  • Forgery is a criminal offence under Malaysian law.

2. Disciplinary Action

  • FAM Disciplinary Committee should initiate proceedings against:
    • General Secretary, for failure of oversight and due diligence.
  • This does not automatically imply criminal guilt, but administrative accountability.

3. Governance Reforms

The IIC strongly recommends:

  • Stronger document verification systems.
  • Clear responsibility lines.
  • Mandatory agent registration and accountability.
  • Vetted notaries only.
  • Regular audits on eligibility documentation.
  • Ethics and integrity training.
  • Formal cooperation with law enforcement and FIFA integrity units.

12. Overall Significance

  • This case is not about illegal citizenship.
  • It is about:
    • Administrative failure,
    • Document integrity,
    • Governance breakdown within FAM.
  • The IIC recommends the report be made public, given its importance to national football integrity.

Syahmi Adib Earns Malaysia U-23 Call-Up for 33rd SEA Games

Negeri Sembilan FC is proud to celebrate another milestone in the development of our young talents as goalkeeper Syahmi Adib has been officially called up to the Malaysia U-23 national squad for the upcoming 33rd SEA Games in Songkhla, Thailand, taking place from 6 to 18 December.

The 21-year-old shot-stopper has shown tremendous growth, discipline, and maturity throughout the season. His dedication in training and consistency between the posts have not only strengthened NSFC’s depth but also caught the attention of the national selectors.

This call-up marks a significant step forward in Syahmi’s journey, and the entire Jang family stands firmly behind him as he prepares to don the national colours on one of Southeast Asia’s biggest sporting stages.

As he joins the young Harimau Muda squad, we believe Syahmi will bring the same hunger, composure, and fighting spirit he displays each day at the club.

𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙞 𝙉𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙞, 𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙞 𝙉𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙖.

All the best, Syahmi — the pride of Tanah Adat marches with you!

Cklamovski’s Praise for TMJ Walks a Fine Line — Support or Breach of FIFA’s Neutrality Principles?

Harimau Malaya head coach Peter Cklamovski made headlines after Malaysia’s 3-0 win over Laos when he openly credited Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as the driving force behind Malaysian football’s progress.

In a passionate post-match statement, Cklamovski said that without the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner’s vision, leadership, and personal investment, Malaysian football “would have been finished a long time ago.”

He further argued that Tunku Ismail, not the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), has been the key figure securing government backing, funding, and professional standards that have elevated the national team setup.

That’s a very sharp and politically loaded statement by Peter Cklamovski — and while not directly illegal under FIFA regulations, it pushes into a grey area concerning FIFA’s principles of neutrality and non-interference in political or administrative affairs of member associations.

Let’s unpack it carefully from both a regulatory and a professional conduct standpoint:

1. FIFA’s Stance: Political Neutrality & Non-Interference

FIFA’s Statutes (notably Articles 14 & 19) emphasize that:

  • Member associations (like FAM) must remain independent and free from political interference.
  • National teams, clubs, and officials must not bring political figures, governments, or royalty into football governance matters.

Cklamovski’s comments—especially:

“Who gets the funding from the Prime Minister and the support from the government? It is TMJ, not FAM,”
“Without him, Malaysian football is finished.”

—could be interpreted as endorsing political or monarchical influence over a national association, which contradicts the spirit (if not the letter) of FIFA’s autonomy rules.

However, since TMJ’s involvement is through a club (JDT) and as a royal patron, not a government minister or FIFA-sanctioned official, the comments may not trigger a direct disciplinary breach—unless FIFA deems them evidence of political control or interference.

2. From a Coaching & Governance Perspective

It’s unusual for a national team coach to:

  • Publicly assign blame to FAM (“the administration errors … that’s FAM, not TMJ”), and
  • Explicitly credit a single private or royal figure for national football survival.

This can:

  • Undermine the federation’s credibility before FIFA and AFC.
  • Create perception of dual power structures — one official (FAM) and one de facto (TMJ).
  • Risk breaching FIFA Code of Ethics, Article 13 (General Duties), which requires officials to act with neutrality, integrity, and loyalty to their member association.

So while not an immediate FIFA violation, it could be viewed as “inappropriate public commentary” or “disparagement of a member association”, which national FAs often discipline internally.

3. Contextual Reality: Why He Said It

Cklamovski’s statement came amid:

  • The FIFA suspension of Malaysia due to falsified player documents.
  • Rising public anger towards FAM.
  • TMJ’s visible role as de facto national team project leader.

It seems defensive and political — an attempt to rally morale and publicly separate TMJ from FAM’s scandal. Strategically, it shifts blame away from TMJ and towards FAM administration, protecting his employer’s key supporter.

4. What FIFA Could Do

Unless:

  • The statement is interpreted as proof that the government or TMJ controls FAM decisions, or
  • It sparks further evidence of undue influence,

FIFA will likely not act. However, they will take note, especially given Malaysia’s ongoing suspension and governance scrutiny.

If FIFA or AFC perceive TMJ as exercising authority exceeding his role, they could ask FAM for clarification on independence and structure.

Summary Judgment

AspectAssessment
FIFA Rule Breach?Not directly — but borderline on political interference (Articles 14, 19).
Professional Conduct?Questionable — public criticism of FAM by national coach is unorthodox and potentially divisive.
Possible Consequences?Internal reprimand or advisory from FAM; FIFA likely to monitor but not sanction unless interference proven.
Motivation Behind StatementTo defend TMJ’s role and rally support during crisis; politically tactical, not regulatory in nature.

In short:
Cklamovski’s statement isn’t an outright FIFA violation, but it’s walking a fine line. It blurs institutional boundaries, risks reputational damage to FAM, and could invite further scrutiny over governance independence — something FIFA takes very seriously.

The Aftermath of Forgery Scandal — Malaysia’s National Team Faces a Season of Uncertainty

Malaysia’s national football team is bracing for a turbulent period following FIFA’s disciplinary ruling that saw seven naturalised players banned and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) fined heavily for the use of falsified eligibility documents.

The decision, handed down on 6 October 2025, has left the Harimau Malaya squad in disarray just months before crucial Asian Cup qualifiers, forcing coaches and officials to reassess squad depth, strategy, and the future of Malaysia’s naturalisation policy.

As the dust settles, questions linger over how the national setup will rebuild trust, restore credibility, and maintain competitive momentum in a season now clouded by uncertainty.

1. Immediate Football Consequences

Player Availability

  • All seven players are suspended from all football-related activities worldwide for 12 months — this includes:
    • Club matches (domestic and international)
    • National team matches
    • Training, friendlies, and promotional events
  • They cannot even train or appear in official FAM or club activities under FIFA jurisdiction.

Potential Team Sanctions

  • FIFA’s ruling is disciplinary (forgery), but eligibility and match results from the 10 June 2025 Malaysia 4–0 Vietnam match fall under AFC jurisdiction.
    • The AFC may open a separate proceeding to determine if the match result will be forfeited (0–3 loss) under Asian Cup regulations.
    • If confirmed, Malaysia could lose three points in Asian Cup qualifying.
    • Future AFC matches could see Malaysia temporarily suspended if FAM fails to comply with the sanctions.

2. Legal & Procedural Ramifications

Appeal Timeline

  • FAM and players have:
    • 3 days (from 6 Oct 2025) to notify intent to appeal.
    • 5 days after that to submit the full appeal brief, plus pay a CHF 1,000 fee.
  • Appeals go first to the FIFA Appeal Committee; if rejected, they can escalate to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

Possible Outcomes

  • FIFA may uphold, reduce, or extend the sanctions.
  • CAS could either affirm, reduce, or annul the ban — but total exoneration is unlikely since document forgery is proven by original foreign civil registry data.

3. Wider Investigations Likely

Within Malaysia

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs and National Registration Department (NRD) could face pressure to audit how Malaysian “copies” of foreign birth certificates were issued.
  • MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) may investigate if brokers or intermediaries assisted in producing or “certifying” the fake heritage documents.

Within FIFA/AFC Ecosystem

  • FIFA may refer this to the FIFA Ethics Committee for further review of possible official misconduct, especially if FAM officials knowingly facilitated the filings.
  • AFC may open a parallel case to assess points deduction, competition bans, or further fines.

4. Financial & Administrative Impact on FAM

  • The CHF 350,000 fine (≈ RM 1.8 million) is payable within 30 days — failure to pay could lead to:
    • Transfer bans,
    • Suspension from future FIFA funding (FIFA Forward programme),
    • or temporary suspension from international participation.
  • FAM may need to revise its internal vetting protocols, creating a dedicated eligibility verification unit to prevent recurrence.
  • Insurance policies typically don’t cover disciplinary fines, meaning FAM must fund this internally.

5. Reputational Fallout

Global Perception

  • This is the first major nationality-forgery case in Southeast Asia since the Equatorial Guinea scandal (2015-2020).
  • Malaysia’s football reputation — already under scrutiny for naturalisation practices — now faces international credibility damage.
  • Expect strong scrutiny from FIFA Integrity, AFC Member Associations, and local media.

Domestic Politics

  • The issue could reach Parliament or Cabinet level, as it touches on:
    • misuse of citizenship/naturalisation processes,
    • oversight failures within FAM and NRD,
    • and potential embarrassment to Malaysia’s global sporting image.

6. Strategic Next Steps for FAM

AreaImmediate Action
LegalFile appeal to FIFA within deadline; prepare independent forensic expert testimony to challenge intent-based liability.
AdministrativeLaunch internal audit of eligibility verification for all naturalised players (past & current).
Public RelationsRelease a transparent statement acknowledging FIFA’s decision and commitment to cooperate fully; avoid denial.
Coordination with AFCEngage AFC early to mitigate potential competition penalties (loss of points, disqualification).
Policy ReformIntroduce a compliance unit for document verification, ideally with Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration Department involvement.

7. What Happens Next (Expected Timeline)

DateEvent
9 Oct 2025Appeal notice deadline (3 days from 6 Oct)
14 Oct 2025Full appeal brief deadline
Late Oct 2025FIFA Appeal Committee hearing
Nov–Dec 2025Possible AFC disciplinary follow-up (regarding match results)
Jan–Mar 2026CAS appeal window if FIFA appeal fails
Oct 2026Ban expiry date for players (if upheld)

8. Long-Term Lessons

  • Strict liability: FIFA does not require proof of intent — use of a forged document is enough.
  • Due diligence failure: FAM’s reliance on local agencies doesn’t absolve responsibility under FIFA Code.
  • Transparency matters: Early disclosure and independent verification of heritage claims should be standard before naturalising foreign players.
  • Rebuilding trust: FAM must act decisively to show accountability or risk losing international goodwill and sponsorship confidence.

In Short

FIFA found the FAM and seven players guilty of using falsified ancestry documents to gain Malaysian eligibility. The case now moves toward appeals and potential AFC repercussions.

The scandal carries deep sporting, legal, and institutional implications — and Malaysia’s football authorities must now rebuild credibility, compliance, and governance discipline to recover trust both locally and internationally.

FIFA Issues Sanctions Following Eligibility Case Involving Malaysian National Team

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:

  1. Gabriel Felipe Arrocha (Spain)
  2. Facundo Tomás Garcés (Argentina)
  3. Rodrigo Julián Holgado (Argentina)
  4. Imanol Javier Machuca (Argentina)
  5. João Vítor Brandão Figueiredo (Brazil)
  6. Jon Irazabal Iraurgui (Spain)
  7. 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:

PlayerAncestorBirthplace in FAM submissionTrue birthplace (original)
1 ArrochaMaría B. C. MartínMalacca (MY)Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain
2 GarcésCarlos R. FernandezPenang (MY)Santa Fé de la Cruz, Argentina
3 HolgadoOmar E. H. GardonGeorge Town (MY)Caseros, Buenos Aires
4 MachucaConcepción A. AlanizPenang (MY)Roldán, Argentina
5 FigueiredoNair de OliveiraJohor (MY)Abre Campo, Brazil
6 IrazabalGregorio I. y LamiquizKuching (MY)Guernica y Luno, Spain
7 HevelHendrik J. HevelMalacca 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

PartyBreachSanction
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)Art. 22 FDC – use of forged documentsFine CHF 350 000
Gabriel Felipe Arrocha (ESP)Art. 22 FDCFine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban
Facundo Tomás Garcés (ARG)Art. 22 FDCFine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban
Rodrigo Julián Holgado (ARG)Art. 22 FDCFine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban
Imanol Javier Machuca (ARG)Art. 22 FDCFine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban
João Vítor Brandão Figueiredo (BRA)Art. 22 FDCFine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban
Jon Irazabal Iraurgui (ESP)Art. 22 FDCFine CHF 2 000 + 12-month ban
Héctor Alejandro Hevel Serrano (NED)Art. 22 FDCFine 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.