KUALA LUMPUR — Harimau Malaya heritage player Rodrigo Holgado will appeal a 12-month suspension handed down by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), his Colombian club America de Cali confirmed today.
The club said in a statement that Holgado, together with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), will utilise the appeal mechanisms provided under the FIFA Disciplinary Code to seek a review of the sanction. FIFA’s decision bans Holgado from all football-related activities.
“The Legal Department of America de Cali will remain in permanent contact with the Football Association of Malaysia to follow the development of this process,” the club added.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee issued the sanctions yesterday, targeting FAM and seven heritage players for breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which relates to the falsification of documents.
Alongside Holgado, the other six sanctioned players are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano
According to FIFA, FAM submitted falsified documents to confirm the eligibility of these players, allowing them to feature in Malaysia’s third-round 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10. The match prompted an official complaint regarding several players’ eligibility.
As a result, FAM was fined CHF350,000 (around RM1.8 million), while each player received a fine of CHF2,000 (approximately RM10,560) alongside the 12-month suspension, effective from the date of notification.
FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi confirmed the association has received FIFA’s official ruling and will appeal the sanctions.
He emphasised that all documentation and procedures were submitted transparently, in accordance with prescribed guidelines, and that the appeal aims to safeguard the interests of the players and the Malaysian national team. — September 27, 2025