PETALING JAYA: Velez Sarsfield coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto said that Malaysia's mixed-heritage player Imanol Machuca's suspension came at a time when the winger was in top form for the club in the Argentine top division.
The 25-year-old, who has been banned for 12 months from all football-related activities by FIFA, was stunned by the decision and is struggling to come to terms with being sidelined.
"It affects us. He was in a fantastic moment, and he brings balance to our team," said Schelotto during a press conference in Argentina on Wednesday (Oct 1).
"Unfortunately, we've lost him. He'll also be out of training for a while, which will affect him even if he's cleared to play later.
"But that's what has happened, and we have to deal with it. Most importantly, his absence affects the team.
"Machuca's situation surprised us, no one knew about it, no one expected it, not even the player himself."
Schelotto expressed hope that the issue can be resolved soon, with Machuca having the chance to appeal the FIFA decision.
"Let's hope it's resolved. He has the opportunity to appeal, so hopefully the situation can be clarified and he can play in the next game," said Schelotto.
"I don't think he'll be available by next Monday (Oct 6), but he could be in the future."
Machuca has made 23 appearances for Velez this season and was instrumental in helping the club win both the Supercopa International and Supercopa Argentina titles last year.
Last Friday (Sept 26), Fifa fined the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8mil) and imposed 12-month bans on seven players, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal, Rodrigo Holgado, Machuca, Hector Hevel, Joao Figueiredo and Gabriel Palmero, for irregularities in their registration documents during Malaysia's Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.
