Malaysia’s top official travels all the way to FIFA headquarters to file an appeal

The honorary president of the Malaysian Football Association flew to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland immediately after the heavy penalty was announced.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has initiated the appeal process following FIFA’s sanction over allegations of submitting forged documents to classify seven naturalized players as Malaysians.

Star Online reported that FAM’s honorary president, Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, who is also a FIFA Council member, is expected to visit FIFA’s Zurich office on September 28 to pursue the appeal. On September 26, FIFA fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs and suspended seven players from all football-related activities for 12 months.

The players—Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Figueiredo, Irazábal, and Hevel—were each fined 2,000 Swiss francs. FIFA stated that the sanctions relate to forged documents submitted during the qualification process for Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifier match against Vietnam on June 10, 2025.

Clubs including Deportivo Alaves (Garcés), America de Cali (Holgado), Unionistas de Salamanca (Palmero), and Velez Sarsfield (Machuca) have confirmed their players will remain banned from playing until the appeal results are announced.

According to regulations, FAM and the mentioned players have 10 days to request the detailed decision and may also appeal to FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber under current rules. After FIFA’s decision takes effect, the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) disciplinary committee will review and decide on FAM’s violations.

Malaysia is at risk of being handed a 0-3 defeat against Vietnam in this match according to standard football rules. Therefore, the upcoming 10-day appeal period is crucial for Malaysian football. Using even one ineligible player—regardless of reasons such as suspension, missing transfer documents, or not being registered—will result in a 0-3 forfeit loss for the team.