PETALING JAYA: The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FifPro) have slammed FIFA’s decision to hand year-long bans to the seven players in the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) mixed heritage scandal.
FIFPro called the punishment "grossly disproportionate" and insisted that the players were victims of administrative failures, not wrongdoing.
FIFPro, the global footballing union, said the 12-month bans from all football-related activities imposed on the players were excessive given the circumstances of the case.
"It is clear that the players are, in fact, victims in this matter. The decision itself confirms that they did not forge any documents to obtain eligibility, explicitly acknowledging that the documents they submitted were authentic," the union said in a statement on Monday (Dec 1).
"When no fewer than seven players find themselves in the same situation, it is evident that any possibly forged documents were not the result of individual actions.
"Players also have no means to individually obtain binding confirmation from FIFA regarding their eligibility - a procedure that is not even mandatory under current rules."
FIFPro added that it was troubling that the players are being held responsible for submissions made by a national association to FIFA, and that they are apparently expected to verify documents they did not issue or submit.
According to their statement, the players followed all required procedures: they submitted personal documents, appeared before Malaysian authorities, completed oath-taking processes, obtained government-issued passports, and awaited eligibility clearance from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
"All steps were handled by institutions outside their control, yet they now face suspension from their clubs and the serious consequences that follow — through no fault of their own.
"FIFPro express their full support for the players and trusts that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will overturn this injustice."
