Reviewing the entire process of FIFA uncovering Malaysia's football naturalization fraud

The case of FIFA sanctioning Malaysia for illegal player naturalization is entering its critical phase with FIFA publishing its ruling and fully revealing the investigation details.

At the end of September 2025, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee released a decision that shocked Southeast Asian football, officially confirming that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven foreign-born players seriously violated Article 22 of the 2025 FIFA Disciplinary Code regarding forgery and use of fake documents in naturalization applications.

The decision numbered FDD-24394 not only concluded a nearly six-month investigation, but also revealed the step-by-step process FIFA used to expose a sophisticated fraud system.

Originating from unusual suspicions

According to records, the issue began in March 2025 when FAM submitted multiple applications to FIFA requesting eligibility confirmation for foreign players such as Hector Hevel, Gabriel Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, and Jon Irazabal to represent the national team.

In these documents, FAM included birth certificates of the players' grandparents, purportedly born in Malaysia in the last century, a key factor for eligibility under FIFA regulations.

Initially, FIFA provisionally approved the documents as there were no signs of irregularities. However, following Malaysia's 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10, 2025 (with two naturalized players scoring), FIFA received an official complaint alleging that the naturalization process was “suspicious” and “potentially fraudulent”.

FIFA's investigation process: from suspicion to evidence

Immediately after receiving the complaint, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee Secretariat launched an independent investigation, collecting original birth certificates of the players' grandparents from Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and the Netherlands. The investigation confirmed that the documents submitted by FAM were forged.

While the copies sent to FIFA stated birthplaces as Malacca, Penang, Johore, George Town, Kuching (locations in Malaysia), the originals showed actual birthplaces in Europe or South America, for example, Garcés’ grandfather was born in Santa Fé, Argentina, and Arrocha’s grandmother was born in Spain.

FIFA determined: “The documents submitted by FAM in all seven naturalization cases were altered to change the place of birth, aiming to circumvent FIFA's nationality regulations.”

Notably, the statement from Malaysia’s National Registration Department (NRD), provided by FAM itself, worsened the situation. NRD admitted that they never received the original birth certificates but relied on “copies or secondary information” to issue nationality confirmations. FIFA concluded this indicated FAM's lack of verification and negligence, possibly even indirect complicity in the fraud.

FAM and players' unsuccessful rebuttals

In their explanation to FIFA, FAM asserted that they “were unaware the documents were forged” and “followed procedures authorized by Malaysian authorities”. The association claimed the issue was merely “an administrative error” and “did not provide any advantage”, since the players had legally obtained Malaysian citizenship.

However, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee completely rejected this argument. According to FIFA, Article 22 of the Disciplinary Code applies strict liability, meaning the use of forged documents constitutes a violation regardless of intent or knowledge.

FIFA emphasized that using falsified birth certificates directly affects a player's eligibility in matches, impacting results and the fairness of competitions.

Systematic fraud and severe consequences

Based on the evidence collected, FIFA concluded that FAM and the seven players violated Article 22 of the Disciplinary Code by forging and using fake documents and bear collective responsibility. The committee highlighted that this was not a mere formality breach but deliberate fraud altering identities to qualify for international competition.

In its ruling, FIFA stressed: “This conduct not only breaches FIFA’s regulations but severely damages the integrity of international football.”

FAM faces substantial financial penalties, while the offending players may be banned from international matches for at least 12 months under the applicable framework. Additionally, FIFA has forwarded the case to the AFC for further action regarding the Malaysia vs Vietnam match, where the fraudulent naturalized players contributed goals.