7 naturalized players make a surprising move against the Football Association of Malaysia

The seven naturalized players who are under FIFA's disciplinary sanctions are said to be ready to make a significant move against the Football Association of Malaysia.

According to sources from New Straits Times, the seven naturalized players currently suspended by FIFA may file a lawsuit against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) seeking compensation for lost income.

Specifically, reports indicate that this group of players is considering legal action after FAM admitted that its administrative staff made a technical error during the submission of documents, resulting in a severe penalty from FIFA. This mistake caused them to be banned from all football activities for 12 months, seriously impacting their careers and finances.

Some players are said to have lost significant income due to their inability to play, with some even having their contracts terminated by clubs. Sources reveal that foreign lawyers are currently working with the seven players to explore the possibility of suing FAM. “Their demand for compensation is entirely understandable, as the sanction has greatly affected their lives and careers,” a source from New Straits Times disclosed.

Additionally, the compensation claim is also seen as a way for them to restore their reputation and facilitate finding new clubs after the ban ends.

Currently, all seven players, including Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel, are banned from participating in football activities for 12 months and fined 2,000 Swiss francs (about 56 million VND) for violating Article 22 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code related to the use of forged documents.

Earlier this week, FIFA issued a statement rejecting FAM’s appeal regarding the eligibility of the seven naturalized players. As a result, FAM is planning to overturn FIFA’s decision by continuing to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

However, if CAS rules unfavorably, FAM and the national team may face severe penalties. One possible outcome mentioned is forfeiting two matches in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Nepal and Vietnam, where the naturalized players were part of the lineup.

Furthermore, the "Malayan Tigers" could face a ban from competition lasting about two years, or in the worst case, up to 10 years.

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