FIFA may reduce the sanctions imposed on a group of Malaysian players who were naturalized illegally.

As reported by the New Straits Times, FIFA could potentially decrease the punishment for seven Malaysian players who were naturalized improperly.

The future of these seven Malaysian naturalized players is currently on hold after FIFA banned them from all football activities for 12 months due to registration violations.

According to the New Straits Times, a recent revelation by the national team advisor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim that FIFA might consider reducing the sanctions has sparked hope for these players, offering them a chance to return to the field and salvage their stalled careers.

The announced penalty states that the seven players — Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel — each face a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs and a one-year suspension. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has officially filed an appeal to FIFA, with the final verdict expected on October 30.

Football analyst Dr. Zulakbal Abdul Karim believes that if FIFA reduces the suspension period, it would be a “lifeline” for players like Garces and Holgado, who currently compete in top leagues in Spain and Colombia. He says shortening the ban would not only help maintain their physical condition but also minimize negative impacts on their careers.

“In football, there is a concept called the 'reversibility effect,' which refers to the gradual loss of fitness and skills when training stops. If missing two or three weeks of training causes a drop in performance, then a one-year ban will definitely have a much more severe impact.

If the suspension period is shortened to six months, the effect would be less severe, and they could regain their fitness more quickly,” said Zulakbal.

However, the expert also warned that while physical condition can be restored, the players’ reputation and commercial value will require a longer time to recover.

“Over time, financial losses and damage to their image are hard to recover from. That is the deepest impact of the penalty. However, with strong support systems from their clubs and FAM, they can fully return to top form,” Zulakbal added.

If FIFA approves the appeal and reduces the suspension, it would be great news not only for the players but also for Malaysian football, which is striving to build a stronger team through a naturalization strategy.

The decision expected by the end of October will be a turning point, determining the future of these seven stars who are at the peak of their careers.