PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have confirmed that three of their players under FIFA suspension will continue to train with the team following the latest decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In a statement on Saturday (March 7), JDT chief executive officer Luis Garcia said the team stands together with their three players - Joao Figueiredo, Hector Hevel, and Jon Irazabal - during the entire period of their remaining suspension.
“We understand that it is challenging for the players but we will be supportive of them, just as our club owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, has always instilled - never leave a soldier behind,” said Garcia.
“The trio will continue training with the first team squad and be part of team activities as permitted by CAS.”
On Thursday (March 5), CAS partially upheld an appeal by seven footballers sanctioned for forging documents in an eligibility case involving the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), ruling that their suspension applies to official matches.
CAS confirmed that the players will continue to serve a 12-month ban but amended the earlier suspension imposed by FIFA, and has now allowed them to be part of other football-related activities with their clubs.
Besides the three JDT players, the other four Harimau Malaya players under suspension are Facundo Garces, Gabriel Palmero, Rodrigo Holgado, and Imanol Machuca.
