KUCHING: FIFA’s sanctions on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have raised alarm, with forgery allegations involving naturalised players casting a shadow over the nation’s sporting reputation if proven true.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he was surprised such an incident could occur at the highest level of national football administration.
“It is very disgraceful and shameful, especially to Malaysia, because football is such a popular sport managed by very high officials.
“Allegations of forged documents to register players as Malaysians are really despicable and a disgrace to Malaysians. We are ashamed that at this level, such things could happen. To me, this is a very wrong thing to do,” he said when attending the Golf VIP Borneo Games Kuching 2025 at Sarawak Golf Club, here today.
FAM’s acting president Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Mahadi confirmed that the association would file an appeal.
“FAM will use all available channels and legal procedures to ensure the interests of the players and the national team are protected.
“We remain committed to acting firmly, adhering to international regulations, and defending the integrity of Malaysian football,” he said.
FIFA announced on its official website that its disciplinary committee had found FAM guilty of breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which covers forgery and falsification.
The case centred on seven naturalised players who featured in Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, 2025.
The governing body revealed that doctored papers had been submitted during eligibility checks, allowing the players – including Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, João Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel – to participate.
Following a complaint, FIFA launched an investigation which confirmed irregularities in the documentation.
As a result, FIFA fined the Football Association of Malaysia on Friday CHF 350,000 (about RM1.85 million), while players Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano were each fined CHF 2,000 (about RM10,586) and handed 12-month bans from all football activities, effective immediately.
FIFA in its statement noted that FAM and the sanctioned players have 10 days to lodge an appeal, a move that could determine Malaysia’s ongoing Asian Cup campaign.
