FIFA has handed a 12-month suspension to seven Malaysia national team players and fined the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000) for using forged documents during an Asia Cup qualifier.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee said the punishment came after it found that FAM had altered documentation to allow the players to feature in Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam in June. The case was opened following a complaint challenging the eligibility of several players who played in the match.
The affected players — Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano — have each been fined 2,000 Swiss francs and barred from all football-related activities for a year.
FAM has announced plans to appeal the decision, stressing that both the association and the players acted with transparency.
“FAM would like to emphasise that the players involved, and FAM itself, have acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout this process,” the association said, noting that FIFA had previously reviewed and confirmed the players’ eligibility.
The body added that it would explore all legal channels to defend the players and protect the interests of the national team.
Malaysia currently tops its 2027 Asia Cup qualifying group with six points from two games, though the sanctions could affect its standing depending on the outcome of the appeal.
