FIFA has not yet made a decision regarding the appeal from the Football Association of Malaysia, leaving fans anxious.

01/11/2025 09:33:00 GoalGuru

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has yet to release any official statement regarding the appeal submitted by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) concerning the sanctions on seven naturalized players in the Malaysian national squad.

This issue has become a hot topic among Malaysian football fans, who continue to await the appeal decision related to accusations of falsified documents involving the aforementioned group of players.

CASE PROGRESSION

March 19, 2025: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) requested FIFA to verify the eligibility of Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano, submitting a birth certificate indicating his grandfather was born in Melaka, Malaysia.

March 20, 2025: FAM sent another verification request for Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, with a birth certificate showing his grandmother was born in Melaka, Malaysia.

March 24, 2025: FIFA replied to FAM, confirming that based on the documents received, Hector Hevel is eligible to play for the Malaysian national team.

June 6, 2025: FAM submitted additional documents for five other players: Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, and Jon Irazabal Iraurgui. Each file included a birth certificate of a grandparent born in a Malaysian state (Penang, George Town, Johor, or Sarawak).

June 6 and 9, 2025: FIFA sent letters confirming that according to the documents provided by FAM, the other five players are eligible.

June 10, 2025: All seven naturalized players took the field in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying match against Vietnam at Bukit Jalil Stadium. Malaysia won 4-0, with Figueiredo and Holgado scoring.

June 11, 2025: FIFA received an official complaint from a member association, questioning the validity of the players’ naturalization documents, especially regarding the rapid completion and debut timeline.

August 22 and 28, 2025: Following an investigation, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee (FDC) formally initiated disciplinary procedures against FAM and the seven players after determining that the original birth certificates showed their grandparents were born outside Malaysia, violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. August 22, 2025: FAM President Joehari Ayub resigned citing health reasons.

September 22, 2025: FAM and the players submitted an official response, claiming their actions were in good faith based on documents verified by Malaysian authorities.

September 25, 2025: FIFA Disciplinary Committee Vice President Jorge Palacio issued the final ruling on the case.

September 26, 2025: The decision and penalties were formally delivered to FAM and the relevant players.

October 6, 2025: FIFA sent a detailed 19-page document explaining the legal basis, investigation process, and reasons for the sanctions to FAM and other concerned parties.

October 15, 2025: Malaysia filed an appeal against FIFA’s sanctions.

Comment (0)