KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has expressed concern over the renewed controversy surrounding the eligibility of several national players, describing the situation as “damaging,” particularly as the governing body awaits FIFA’s appeal verdict on the suspension of seven heritage players.
FAM’s response came after reports resurfaced questioning the eligibility of national defender Facundo Garcés, who is among seven players currently serving a FIFA-imposed suspension.
The renewed speculation followed the circulation of a document purported to be his grandfather’s birth certificate, which went viral on social media.
Speaking to Scoop, FAM acting president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said the association was caught by surprise by the latest claims, which he described as both premature and harmful.
“This is really damaging, especially when we are still waiting for FIFA’s appeal verdict. We don’t know where this information came from, and it’s unfair to draw conclusions before the official decision is announced,” said Yusoff.
“I hope people will refrain from spreading false or unverified information. It doesn’t help the players or Malaysian football in any way,” he added.
The controversy surrounding Garcés deepened after a document allegedly showing the birth certificate of his grandfather, Carlos Rogelio Fernández, went viral on social media.
The document was first published by Argentine news portal Capital de Noticias, which claimed to have obtained it from the Argentine National Archive.
According to the certificate, both Garcés’s great-grandfather and grandfather were Argentine citizens. It states that Fernández was born on May 29,1930 in Santa Fe, Argentina.
Capital de Noticias also reported that the address listed in the document matched the numbering system used in northern Salvador del Carril, Santa Fe, during the 1930s, when streets were identified by numbers rather than names.
However, the authenticity of the document has not been officially confirmed.
FIFA’s investigation later corroborated the findings, confirming through records from the Civil Registry of Santa Fe Province that Fernández was indeed born in the Villa María Selva neighbourhood of Santa Fe — not in Penang, Malaysia, as claimed in FAM’s earlier submission.
While the birth date was accurate, the birthplace was not. The registry states:
“Mrs Sebastiana Justa Fernández, single, Argentine, resident of Villa María Selva, declared that at her home on 22nd Street, a white male child was born, whom she recognises as her natural son.”
This record confirms that both Fernández’s mother and Garcés’s great-grandmother were Argentine, effectively dismissing claims of Malaysian ancestry in the player’s lineage.
Capital de Noticias further reported that Garcés was among several players who had allegedly misrepresented their ancestry to gain eligibility to play for Malaysia. Six other footballers are said to be implicated in the same case.
Meanwhile, Garcés had earlier addressed the controversy on August 20 through his Instagram page, denying any wrongdoing and reaffirming his pride in representing Malaysia.
“It was just a transcription error. I am Malaysian from my grandfather’s side and I am very proud to play for my country. See you later,” he wrote.
The 26-year-old centre-back, who plays for Deportivo Alavés in Spain’s La Liga, has been an influential figure this season, starting in five of the club’s ten league matches. Alavés currently sit 12th in the standings with 12 points.
Last month, FIFA fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million) and imposed a 12-month ban on Garcés and six other players — Gabriel Palmero, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Héctor Hevel — from all football-related activities.
Each player was also fined 2,000 Swiss francs.
FIFA’s appeal verdict on the case is expected to be announced later today. – October 31, 2025