KUALA LUMPUR – Three Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) players — Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel — have been barred from competing in any Malaysian League matches for the next 12 months following a decision by FIFA to suspend seven heritage players over eligibility violations.
The Malaysian Football League (MFL) confirmed today that it has received an official notification from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) regarding the sanctions imposed by the world governing body.
Speaking to Scoop, MFL acting CEO Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd said the league is bound to enforce FIFA’s ruling and will await the outcome of FAM’s appeal before taking further action.
“We have been officially informed of FIFA’s decision, and as it stands, the three players from JDT are prohibited from featuring in any Malaysian League matches throughout the 12-month suspension,” he said.
“Any further steps from MFL will depend on the outcome of the appeal submitted by FAM.”
As the appeal process unfolds, MFL said it will closely monitor developments and comply with any directives issued by FIFA.
“We understand the gravity of the situation and will act according to the final decision from FIFA,” Shazli added. “Our priority is to ensure the integrity of the league and compliance with international regulations.”
It was reported that FAM, through its secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, is awaiting FIFA’s full written judgment before filing an appeal.
“We have identified a technical error in the process of submitting documents carried out by our administrative staff. FAM takes this matter seriously,” Noor Azman said in a statement.
“However, we would like to emphasise that the heritage players involved are legitimate Malaysian citizens.”
The sanctions stem from a FIFA investigation into the eligibility of several naturalised and heritage players representing Malaysia.
The disciplinary committee concluded that tampered documents were used during the registration process, breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
A total of seven players were suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months and fined 2,000 Swiss francs (about RM10,560) each, while FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.85 million).
The case has been referred to the FIFA Football Tribunal for a full determination of the players’ eligibility.
The investigation followed complaints lodged after Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10, a match in which several of the suspended players featured.
The controversy has sparked debate in Malaysian football circles, with former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin among those questioning FIFA’s decision, arguing that players previously cleared to represent Malaysia should not be penalised retroactively.
Spanish club Deportivo Alavés has also reportedly lodged a complaint after defender Facundo Garcés, one of the suspended players, was barred from playing not only for Malaysia but also for his club.
The suspension of the heritage players marks one of the most significant eligibility scandals in Malaysian football history and could have far-reaching consequences for both club and country on the Asian stage. — September 29, 2025