Naturalization scandal causes Malaysia to lose an entire career

20/10/2025 22:58:00 soccer

According to multiple sources, Facundo Garces has been excluded from Alaves' lineup until the season concludes due to a 12-month suspension by FIFA.

According to various reports, Deportivo Alaves has dropped defender Facundo Garces from their roster for the remainder of the season after FIFA issued a 12-month ban on him from all football activities related to a nationality fraud scandal. This move effectively ends Garces’ future with the Basque club.

Previously, Alaves had only temporarily removed Garces while awaiting the appeal results from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). However, the club’s management has now decided to exclude him from all match plans until the season’s end, and it is likely that the Spanish club will soon terminate the Argentine player’s contract.

Facundo Garces is reported to have been removed from Deportivo Alaves’ playing list. Photo: Facundo Garces

Facundo Garces was once regarded as a promising center-back during his time at Colon. At his peak, he was valued at 4.5 million Euros. However, since moving to Alaves, his transfer value dropped to 2 million Euros, and now, following the scandal, it has fallen to just 1 million Euros.

FIFA’s investigation revealed that Garces and six other South American players used forged documents to prove Malaysian heritage in order to qualify for the national team. The Football Association of Malaysia is accused of involvement in falsifying players’ birth certificates. As a result, FIFA imposed a 12-month playing ban on the implicated players and launched a separate investigation into FAM.

542057157_122143641476803027_782 — Currently, FAM has filed an appeal with FIFA. Photo: FAM

FAM has submitted an appeal to FIFA, with the final decision expected to be announced on October 30. If the appeal fails, FAM may escalate the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will base its final sanctions on the rulings from FIFA and CAS.

The case involving Garces and FAM is shaking Southeast Asian football. It serves as a warning to football associations about managing naturalized player records to ensure transparency and fairness in international competitions.