Tough times ahead: The Malaysian team posing for a group photo ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier Group F match against Vietnam on June 10. — AP
PETALING JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have taken a firm and unyielding stance in response to FIFA’s accusations of document forgery involving the registration of seven mixed heritage players – rejecting all allegations of wrongdoing and vowing to clear their name through all legal avenues.
Ten days after FIFA handed down a 12-month suspension to the seven players and fined FAM, the world body released their justification, alleging the use of forged heritage documents to register the players as eligible for Malaysia.
The players named are: Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, and Joao Figueiredo – all of whom FIFA claim had no genuine Malaysian heritage based on their investigation.
But FAM are pushing back – hard.
“FAM categorically deny any involvement in falsification or manipulation of documents,” the governing body said in a statement released just hours after FIFA’s detailed findings were made public.
“All documentation and submission relating to the players’ eligibility were prepared, verified, and fully managed by FAM in accordance with the prescribed procedures.”
While acknowledging a technical error in the document submission, FAM explained that an internal oversight – involving a staff member mistakenly uploading documents from a player agent instead of official National Registration Department (NRD) records – may have contributed to the confusion.
“We take this situation seriously, but to suggest that the players intentionally circumvented eligibility rules or submitted forged documents is not only inaccurate – it’s defamatory,” FAM stressed.
FAM confirmed that they were now preparing a formal appeal to FIFA, supported by authentic, government-certified documentation. The appeal aims to overturn both the sanctions against the players and the fine imposed on FAM.
“FAM remain committed to defending the integrity of national football based on facts and authentic documentation.”
