PETALING JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have expressed disappointment over the ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the eligibility case involving seven mixed-heritage players, describing the outcome as particularly harsh on the footballers.
While FAM respect the authority of CAS, they believed the sanctions upheld appear disproportionate, particularly when compared with decions handed down in similar cases previously heard by CAS.
In a statement, FAM said the association would study the matter further once the full written award from CAS becomes available.
“Throughout the proceedings, FAM accepted responsibility for oversight failures,” the association said.
“Investigations by federal agencies in Malaysia and FIFA remain ongoing, and FAM will continue to cooperate fully with all relevant authorities,” the association said.
FAM also stressed that the players should not be blamed for the issue, noting that they were not involved in the administrative process surrounding their eligibility.
“The outcome is particularly disappointing for the players. The players were not involved in the administrative process and did not know matters related to the administration.
“They are Malaysians who obtained citizenship in accordance with the laws of Malaysia,” FAM added.
In a decision issued in Lausanne on Thursday, CAS confirmed that the players would still serve a 12-month ban but amended the sanction imposed earlier by FIFA, allowing them to continue training and participating in other football-related activities with their clubs.
The seven players involved are Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
FAM however, would still have to pay a fine of 350,000 swiss francs (RM1.8mil).
FAM thanked fans for their unwavering support during what they described as a difficult period.
