KUALA LUMPUR – The Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ), has vehemently slammed FIFA’s decision to uphold year-long bans and hefty fines against seven naturalised Malaysian footballers, labelling the ruling “politically motivated” and not based on genuine legal breaches.
The strong rebuke comes as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) prepares to appeal the “unprecedented” decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
TMJ, who has an informal but significant role in the national team football setup, took to social media to express his outrage, asserting that FIFA’s Disciplinary Code Article 22, which pertains to forgery or falsification of documents, does not apply to the players.
He stressed that the punishment levied on them is unjustified and appears to be driven by ulterior motives rather than legal precedent.
“FIFA continues to punish the players by misapplying the law whereby Article 22 of the FIFA code states can only sanction those who falsify or use a falsified document, and none of that applies to the players,” Tunku Ismail wrote.
He continued: “In other words, the sanction is imposed without being based on the law and appears to be politically motivated, rather than anything else.”
Yesterday, the FIFA Appeal Committee dismissed FAM’s appeal, upholding 12-month suspensions and fines for Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano. FAM itself was also hit with a staggering CHF350,000 (RM1.9 million) fine.
This saga has cast a long shadow over FAM’s naturalisation policy, drawing scrutiny from all corners. The players have been sidelined since the initial disciplinary action was announced in September.
Earlier, FAM acting president, Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, expressed shock and disappointment at FIFA’s ruling, calling it an unprecedented situation for the association. He affirmed FAM’s commitment to “firmly defend the rights of the players and the interests of Malaysian football.”
Tunku Ismail echoed this defiant stance, vowing to support the fight for the players.
“Some choose to point fingers, some choose to make noise, while I choose to stand and support the fight for the players at all cost till the end, which will now be at CAS – an independent body.”
He previously offered himself as a scapegoat for the heritage player scandal to end the constant finger-pointing, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the national team.
The Regent’s intervention injects further controversy into a case that has already ignited intense debate within Malaysian football circles.
His readiness to challenge FIFA publicly signals a determination to clear the players’ names and protect the integrity of the national squad project.
The focus now shifts to CAS, where FAM, with the backing of Tunku Ismail, will make its final plea. — November 4, 2025