Malaysian striker banned by FIFA still attracts interest from Chilean club

03/11/2025 14:52:00 GoalGuru

Despite being suspended by FIFA, Malaysian national striker Rodrigo Holgado remains the primary transfer target for Chile’s Coquimbo Unido club.

According to Chilean outlet En Cancha, Coquimbo Unido — current leaders of Chile’s Primera Division — is gearing up for the new season and has designated Holgado as their "top target" in the transfer market.

The 30-year-old player, valued at about 700,000 euros (equivalent to 3.39 million RM) per Transfermarkt, is still under contract with Colombia’s America de Cali.

Rodrigo Holgado (in yellow) battles defender Duy Mạnh during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying match on June 10.

However, Holgado has not played since FIFA imposed a 12-month ban last September for using falsified documents to represent Malaysia.

En Cancha reports that Coquimbo Unido’s coach Esteban Gonzalez is aiming to bolster his attacking lineup, with Holgado seen as the top priority.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Holgado has previously played for Gimnasia La Plata, Audax Italiano, and Curico Unido. He also had two successful stints at Coquimbo Unido, scoring 34 goals and helping the team win Chile’s Primera B in 2018, before returning on loan in 2023.

According to En Cancha, Holgado and his agent remain hopeful the ban will be reduced, allowing him to resume playing in 2026, when Coquimbo Unido "looks forward to welcoming him back."

The sanction against Holgado was announced on September 26 after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee penalized the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) for fielding players with forged documents.

Specifically, FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (about 1.9 million RM), while seven players — Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel — were each fined 2,000 Swiss francs and suspended for 12 months from all football activities.

The appeal decision was expected on October 30, but FIFA has not yet announced any updates on whether the sanctions will be upheld or lessened.

CASE TIMELINE

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

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

March 24, 2025: FIFA replies to FAM, stating that based on the documents received, Hector Hevel is eligible to play for Malaysia.

June 6, 2025: FAM submits 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 includes a birth certificate of a grandparent born in Malaysian states (Penang, George Town, Johor, or Sarawak).

June 6 and 9, 2025: FIFA sends letters confirming that, according to FAM’s documents, the other five players are eligible.

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

June 11, 2025: FIFA receives an official complaint from a member association, questioning the legitimacy of the players’ naturalization documents, especially the quick processing and debut.

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

September 22, 2025: FAM and the players submit official responses claiming they acted in good faith based on documents certified by Malaysian authorities.

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

September 26, 2025: The decision and penalties are officially sent to FAM and the involved players.

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

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

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