Malaysia selects a skilled lawyer to appeal FIFA's penalty

Following a severe sanction from FIFA, the Football Association of Malaysia is considering hiring a top international lawyer to file an appeal, hoping to salvage the situation and mitigate the punishment.

Malaysian football is in turmoil after a heavy penalty from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was imposed on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalized players. Recently, reports emerged that the national team management is contemplating hiring a leading international sports lawyer to handle the case, a move seen as a crucial step to seek justice and potentially reduce the penalty.

This decision stems from the particularly complex nature of the case, as it involves international football regulations and legal procedures. The Arena Metro reported: “In situations like this, only highly experienced lawyers can ensure that all documents, evidence, and appeal arguments are submitted to FIFA accurately without technical errors. That is why the national team management is certain to hire a foreign lawyer to manage the case.”

The incident began when seven naturalized players—Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, and Imanol Machuca—participated in the match against Vietnam during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10. Shortly after, a complaint was filed with FIFA regarding the validity of these players' eligibility documents.

After investigation, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee concluded that FAM submitted documents containing forged materials to legitimize the eligibility of the naturalized players. As a result, FAM received a heavy fine, and the seven players were banned from all football activities for 12 months.

This penalty not only severely impacts the careers of the seven players but also directly affects Malaysia's long-term football development plans. The loss of several key naturalized players causes significant personnel setbacks for the national team, while FAM's reputation has also come under scrutiny.

Notably, FIFA has allowed FAM only 10 days to submit an appeal, a very short and pressured timeframe. Therefore, urgently hiring an international lawyer is seen as the only solution for Malaysia to try to reverse the situation.

This move is regarded as the last chance for FAM and the players to defend themselves before FIFA. However, even if the appeal succeeds, it serves as a strong warning for Malaysian football management, emphasizing the need for transparency and strict compliance with international regulations.