FIFA's Appeal Committee has rejected the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) appeal, upholding sanctions against the federation and seven naturalized players for using falsified documents. The players, who featured in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in June, face 12-month bans starting September 26, 2025. FAM plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
On November 3, 2025, FIFA announced that its Appeal Committee dismissed the appeals from FAM and seven foreign-born players, confirming the original penalties imposed by the Disciplinary Committee on September 26, 2025. The case stems from violations of Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, involving forgery and falsification of documents to establish eligibility based on Malaysian grandparents.
FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately $433,000 or RM1.8 million). Each of the seven players—Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel—received a 2,000 Swiss franc fine and a 12-month suspension from all football activities, effective from September 26, 2025. The players, originating from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Spain, debuted for Malaysia in a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, 2025, at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, securing a 4-0 victory.
FIFA's investigation revealed discrepancies between documents submitted by FAM and original records from the players' countries of origin. FAM had claimed the players were eligible via Malaysian-born grandparents but failed to provide satisfactory explanations between August 22 and September 22, 2025. The federation filed its appeal on October 15, 2025, after a hearing on October 30.
Acting FAM President Datuk Yusoff Mahadi expressed surprise at the decision, stating, 'FAM will continue to stand firm in defending the rights of the players and the interests of Malaysian football.' FAM has 10 days to request a detailed report from FIFA and 21 days thereafter to appeal to CAS, with potential expedited processing in 30-45 days. The ruling risks 0-3 forfeit losses for Malaysia's matches against Nepal and Vietnam, potentially affecting their Group F lead with 12 points from four games. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will decide final outcomes by March 31, 2026.
Internally, FAM suspended Secretary General Noor Azman Rahman and formed an Independent Investigation Committee on October 7, chaired by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, to probe the matter within six weeks.
