PETALING JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have identified that there was a technical error in the document submission process for seven mixed-heritage players.
In a brief statement issued yesterday, FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman said the mistake occurred during the administrative process of submitting documents.
“FAM are awaiting the full written judgement from FIFA before filing an appeal in accordance with existing legal procedures,” he said.
“FAM take this matter seriously. However, we would like to stress that the heritage players involved are legitimate Malaysian citizens.”
Sweating it out: Rodrigo Holgado (front) and Joao Figueiredo at a training session in Johor. Inset: Datuk Noor Azman Rahman. — FAM
On Friday, FIFA fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8mil) and imposed 12-month bans on seven players – Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, Gabriel Palmero, Imanol Machuca and Joao Figueiredo – citing irregularities in their registration documents.
The ruling has sparked outrage among Malaysian football fans and officials, many of whom insist that FAM had adhered to FIFA’s approval process.
Sports analyst and former FAM executive council member Datuk Christopher Raj has urged the national body to form a robust think tank of legal and football experts to deal with the sanctions.
Christopher said FAM must respond decisively and strategically, stressing that the situation demands careful legal navigation at both continental and global levels.
“FAM need to assemble a think tank – a team of experienced legal experts, not just rely on the disciplinary committee,” he said.
“They’re competent, but this case requires people who’ve handled similar matters before.”
He also noted that members of FIFA’s tribunal are “experts and top-tier judges, not just football administrators”, and that their rulings are based strictly on legal evidence.
Describing the episode as a “black day for Malaysian football”, Christopher reminded stakeholders that while FIFA may have approved the players’ eligibility in the past, the responsibility for document verification ultimately lies with FAM.
He explained that once FAM file an appeal, the process could escalate further if FIFA maintain their decision.
“After FAM file the appeal, if FIFA stand by their decision, then FAM must take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS),” he said.
“Before it even reaches CAS, I believe the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will also get involved because these seven players featured in Asian Cup qualifiers and other AFC-sanctioned matches.”
Christopher added that, as of now, the suspensions only apply to international matches involving the national team – but cautioned that the consequences could widen.
“At this point, the ban applies only to national team fixtures. But there could be a domino effect – from FIFA to AFC, and then from AFC to FAM and even AFF.”
For the record, Timor Leste’s football federation were found guilty of falsifying birth and baptism certificates to make a dozen Brazilian players eligible to represent the country in AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualification.
The doctored documents falsely claimed the players had Timor-Leste heritage. These players, some from clubs like Palmeiras and Botafogo, helped the country secure its first-ever win in 2012 and later victories in World Cup qualifiers.
Following a joint investigation by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA, Timor Leste are banned from the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, and a total of 36 matches were forfeited.
