KUALA LUMPUR – Who is the “unspecified person” Hector Hevel was referring to?
That question now looms large following the release of FIFA’s 64-page motivated decision by the Appeal Committee yesterday, detailing its findings in the Malaysian heritage-player eligibility scandal.
According to the ruling, Hevel, who plays for Johor Darul Ta’azim (JDT), admitted he had never lived in Malaysia for ten years despite signing a document claiming otherwise.
“I signed the documents without reading them, following instructions from an unspecified person,” the statement read.
Hevel also said that when he learned a falsified birth certificate had been used, he did not follow up with his agent.
“I trusted my agent and was focused on my football commitments,” he added.
FIFA’s Appeal Committee also recounted testimonies from six other players.
Imanol Machuca said his grandmother was “reportedly born in Malaysia” and admitted submitting documents without verification.
He claimed he was unaware of the falsification until his suspension and insisted he had only submitted original paperwork.
Joao Figueiredo, also a JDT player, confirmed that both his parents are Brazilian but said his grandmother is Malaysian.
“The opportunity to play for the national team was presented by my agent,” he said.
Jon Irazabal, who joined JDT in June this year, stated that his grandfather was born in Malaysia and revealed he switched agents to seize the opportunity to represent the national team.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Palmero, who played in La Liga 2 club CD Tenerife, acknowledged being present when his father handed family documents to his agent, but said he never checked them.
He also made a major blunder during his FIFA interview, initially saying: “My grandfather was born in Venezuela and my grandmother in Spain… I mean Malaysia, sorry,” raising further suspicion of document forgery.
FIFA noted that Palmero could not provide copies of the documents he had handed to his agent. Its examination relied on three sources: the birth certificate submitted by FAM, another obtained by FIFA, and a third issued by the Malaysian government.
“I wasn’t even interested,” the statement read, with Palmero emphasising he had relied entirely on his agent.
At the same time, axed Deportivo Alves player, Facundo Garcés admitted submitting birth certificates for himself, his father, and his grandfather without reviewing them, saying he trusted his agent completely and never confronted them after learning of the sanctions.
Rodrigo Holgado, who was terminated by his club America de Cali in Colombia described the call-up as “an opportunity for my career,” but admitted he had never set foot in Malaysia, and said he relied entirely on his agent without questioning the paperwork or contacting FAM.
The FIFA report highlights that most players relied heavily on their agents and had minimal oversight over the documentation process.
While the statement stops short of identifying the “unspecified person” Hevel mentioned, it stresses that all parties involved in submitting falsified documents share some responsibility.
The ruling has reignited public outcry in Malaysia, with fans on social media calling for transparency — particularly regarding who orchestrated the document submissions and whether FAM officials played a role.
Previously, FAM deputy president Datuk S. Sivasundaram insisted the seven players “had Malaysian roots” and that their heritage had been thoroughly assessed internally.
In response to the scandal, FAM suspended its secretary-general, Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, and established an independent committee to investigate.
FAM is reportedly preparing to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Lawyers estimate that bringing the matter to CAS could cost FAM at least RM1 million, covering appeal fees, legal counsel, expert witnesses, and arbitration costs. — November 19, 2025