PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has criticised FIFA's decision to impose sanctions on the seven players, calling the move a clear misapplication of the law and "politically motivated".
In an Instagram post on Tuesday (Nov 4), Tunku Ismail claimed that FIFA continues to punish players without proper legal grounds, citing Article 22 of the FIFA Code, which he said only allows sanctions on those who falsify or use falsified documents – a condition that does not apply to the affected players.
"In other words, the sanctions were imposed without being based on the law and appear to be politically motivated rather than anything else," he said in his Insta story.
Tunku Ismail, who is overseeing the national team project, said he would continue to stand behind the affected players, vowing to fight the case "till the end" through proper legal channels.
"Some choose to point fingers, some choose to make noise, while I choose to stand and support the fight for the players at all costs till the end, which will now be at CAS – an independent body," he said, referring to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
FIFA on Monday (Nov 3) upheld all sanctions against FAM and the seven players, namely Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal and Hector Hevel.
FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8mil), while each player received a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs (RM10,400) and a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities.
