Huge blow: (clockwise from left) Johor Darul Ta’zim’s mixed-heritage players Joao Figueiredo, Hector Hevel and Jon Irazabal have been banned for 12 months by FIFA. — Bernama/JDT
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) chief executive officer (CEO) Luis Garcia has voiced his disappointment over the technical error by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) that resulted in the suspension of three of the club’s players.
In a statement released yesterday, the Spaniard said the situation was unfortunate, especially as it affected JDT’s mixed-heritage trio – Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel – who have been sidelined following FIFA’s ruling last week.
“We hope the matter is resolved as soon as possible and the players can represent JDT in due course,” Garcia said in the statement.
FAM have yet to reveal the nature of the ‘’technical error” that caused the sanctions and are waiting for the official grounds of judegment from FIFA before making further comments.
Last Friday, FIFA fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8mil) and imposed 12-month bans on seven heritage players – Facundo Garces, Irazabal, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Hevel, Figueiredo and Gabriel Palmero – following irregularities in their registration documents during Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) president Erick Thohir has denied claims that Indonesia had any role in the decision by FIFA to sanction FAM and the affected Harimau Malaya players.
Rumours had circulated online linking Indonesia’s recent delegation visit to New York and meetings with FIFA officials to the ruling, suggesting alleged interference.
However, Erick, who is also Indonesia’s Youth and Sports minister, dismissed the accusations outright.
“We did not intervene or get involved in the affairs of other countries.
“We must appreciate every country in this region that wants its sports to progress.
“From our side at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we are only focused on advancing Indonesian sports.”
