KUALA LUMPUR — FIFA has yet to finalise the verdict on the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) appeal involving seven national players suspended over alleged document falsification.
The decision, initially expected around 7pm Malaysian time today, is now likely to be delayed to 11pm or even tomorrow, as FIFA’s Appeal Committee re-evaluates the evidence and considers possible adjustments to the sanctions.
Sources familiar with the matter told Scoop that the committee has requested additional clarifications on certain ancestry documents submitted by FAM during the appeal process.
“The panel is taking a cautious approach because of the scale and implications of this case,” said one source familiar with the matter.
“There are still some discrepancies in the documents that need to be cross-verified. While the final decision could go either way, the chances of a full acquittal are very slim.”
Another official close to the appeals committee added that FIFA is “keen to ensure that no procedural or administrative oversight affects the integrity of the ruling.”
“They’re not rushing it.FIFA understands the sensitivity of this case — not only for Malaysian football but for how naturalisation and eligibility cases are handled across the world moving forward.”
In September, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee suspended seven players — Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Arrocha and Héctor Hevel — for 12 months and fined FAM 350,000 Swiss Franc (RM 1.9 million) after ruling that falsified heritage documents were used to justify their eligibility to represent Malaysia.
The controversy has severely dented FAM’s credibility, prompting the suspension of its secretary-general and an internal probe into the association’s naturalisation process.
If the appeal fails, Malaysia could face further action from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), including match forfeitures for games involving the ineligible players. – October 31, 2025