FIFA fines & suspends 7 M'sia football players for allegedly faking naturalisation papers

FIFA has fined and suspended seven players from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for allegedly doctoring documentation that allowed them to play in the Asian Cup qualifier for Malaysia against Vietnam.

The players were sanctioned on Sep. 26.

According to Inside FIFA, all seven players will be banned for a year, and each player has to pay a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs (S$3,238) to FIFA.

FIFA has fined the Football Association of Malaysia 350,000 Swiss francs (S$566,685).

Nationalities

According to Inside FIFA, the seven players are: Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.

Malay Mail reported that 26-year-old centreback Garces was granted Malaysian citizenship on Jun. 2, 2025 before his game against Vietnam.

23-year-old Spanish-born leftback Palmero was granted Malaysian citizenship on Mar. 19, 2025.

29-year-old forward Holgado, was granted citizenship on Jun. 4, 2025.

Machuca from Argentina is a winger, supposedly claiming Malaysian descent from Sabah through his mother.

Figueiredo from Brazil is a forward whose Malaysian heritage can apparently be traced to a grandmother from Negeri Sembilan.

Iraurgui from Spain is a defender, allegedly with reported Malaysian roots through his mother from Sabah.

Hevel from Spain is another naturalised player. Malay Mail reported that his specific heritage claims and detailed career history have not been widely disclosed.

Played for qualifiers

All seven players played for Malaysia against Vietnam in the third round of qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 on Jun. 10, 2025.

According to ESPN, Malaysia beat Vietnam 4-0.

Doctored documentation

However, FIFA received a complaint about the players' eligibility after the game.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed sanctions on the players and the Football Association of Malaysia after reviewing evidence.

Following the players' suspensions, the Crown Prince of Johor posted a witness statement on X.

The translated caption of the post read: "FAM has followed the process and worked closely with FIFA and the Malaysian government. We received approval from FIFA previously, so why the change in decision now? What caused the decision to change all of a sudden? Did any external entities influence FIFA's decision?

One more question, the penalties were given without any reasoning. Additionally, FIFA was quick to release their decision to the public domain although the appeal was not processed yet. Who was in New York? I hope FAM will appeal as soon as possible."

Appeals

As the sanctions are open to appeal, FAM has announced its decision to appeal against the sanctions.

In addition, player Holgado has filed an appeal to review the sanction.

Top photos via buyong.si.jurugambar/Threads, FAM website