PETALING JAYA: Harimau Malaya player Gabriel Palmero has been handed a lifeline in his football career after sealing a move to the Kuching City amid uncertainties over his future.
Palmero is among seven Malaysian mixed-heritage players whose 12-month football-related suspensions were temporarily lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month.
Kuching City confirmed yesterday that the 24-year-old has joined The Cats.
Palmero has been without a club since his former club CD Tenerife ended his contract last November.
There was also positive news for Rodrigo Holgado as he has joined Chilean side Coquimbo Unido.
The 30-year-old Holgado, who was left without a club after Colombia’s America de Cali off-loaded him in November, makes his return to Coquimbo after having been at the club in 2023.
Holgado and Palmero, together with Facundo Garces, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel, were all allowed to resume football-related activities, pending CAS’ final ruling.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Palmero and his teammates, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) having fixed Feb 26 for a hearing in Switzerland that will decide the fate of the seven players – whether their suspensions will be upheld, reduced or overturned.
Previously, FIFA had imposed 12-month suspensions on the players after they were alleged to have submitted doctored documents relating to their eligibility to play for Malaysia.
