PETALING JAYA: Mixed‑heritage footballer Rodrigo Holgado has taken unpaid leave from América de Cali to return to Malaysia to resolve his FIFA suspension.
The Colombian club confirmed that Holgado’s request was granted so he could meet Football Association of Malaysia officials and assist in the appeal process.
“It is reported that Rodrigo Holgado requested and was granted unpaid leave to travel to Malaysia in order to personally address the situation related to the sanction imposed on both himself and his federation by FIFA’s disciplinary body,” the club said on Friday (Oct 3).
Holgado, along with six other mixed‑heritage Harimau Malaya players, was suspended for a year by FIFA for irregular registration documents used during Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifiers against Vietnam in June.
The other players are Facundo Garcés, Jon Irazabal, Imanol Machuca, Héctor Hevel, João Figueiredo and Gabriel Palmero.
FIFA also fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8mil) for irregularities.
Holgado arrived in Malaysia on Thursday (October 2), followed by Garcés the next day to help resolve the issue.
