KUALA LUMPUR – Tomorrow is a momentous and tension-filled day for Malaysian football, as the nation holds its breath over a case that could redefine the legacy of its national team.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is set to hear a highly controversial case involving alleged document falsification by seven heritage players — a scandal that has gripped the nation and sparked intense debate both on and off the pitch.
For months, Malaysians and football fans around the world have followed the saga with bated breath, scrutinising every statement, every document, and every move by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the players involved.
The outcome of tomorrow’s hearing could determine not only the fate of the seven players, but also the reputation of Malaysian football on the international stage, casting a long shadow over the Harimau Malaya squad and its ambitions.
As the world watches, the stage is set for a dramatic confrontation at CAS, where questions of eligibility, authenticity, and integrity will be examined in painstaking detail.
Each case in this saga is identified by a FIFA reference number, known as FPSD, which is used to track eligibility and disciplinary matters involving players and the national association.
Below is the full chronology of the document falsification case involving the seven heritage players:
March 19, 2025:
FAM submitted an inquiry regarding Hector Hevel’s eligibility to represent Malaysia, attaching a birth certificate of the player’s grandfather dated January 6, 2025, stating that Hendrik Jan Hevel was born on February 3, 1933, in the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia. The case was filed under reference FPSD-18682.
March 20, 2025:
FAM submitted another inquiry regarding Gabriel Felipe Arocha’s eligibility, along with his grandmother’s birth certificate dated January 3, 2025, stating that María Belén Concepción Martin was born on May 17, 1956, in Melaka, Malaysia (FPSD-18683).
March 24, 2025:
FIFA informed FAM that, based on the information provided, Hevel met all requirements and was eligible to play for Malaysia (FPSD-18682).
June 6, 2025:
FAM submitted eligibility requests for:
– Facundo Tomas Garces (FPSD-19517)
– Rodrigo Julian Holgado (FPSD-19518)
– Imanol Javier Machuca (FPSD-19519)
– Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo (FPSD-19520)
– Jon Irazabal Iraurgui (FPSD-19521)
Each application included a birth certificate of a grandparent or grandmother showing Malaysian birthplaces.
FIFA confirmed Machuca’s and Irazabal’s eligibility on the same day.
June 9, 2025:
FIFA confirmed the eligibility of Gabriel, Garces, Holgado and Figueiredo.
June 10, 2025:
All seven players featured in Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Figueiredo and Holgado scored in the 49th and 59th minutes respectively.
June 11, 2025:
FIFA received a formal complaint alleging irregularities in the players’ eligibility and the unusually rapid naturalisation process.
August 22 & 28, 2025:
Disciplinary proceedings were opened against FAM and the players, who were given until September 22 to respond.
September 25, 2025:
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found violations of Article 22 of the FDC, fining FAM CHF350,000 (RM1.8 million) and each player CHF2,000, while imposing 12-month suspensions on all seven.
November 3, 2025:
FIFA’s Appeals Committee rejected the appeal by FAM and the players.
November 18, 2025:
FIFA released a 64-page written decision stating that falsified birth certificates had been used to claim Malaysian ancestry.
December 8, 2025:
FAM submitted its appeal to CAS.
January 26, 2026:
CAS provisionally suspended the players’ bans.
January 30, 2026:
CAS announced the hearing date for February 26.
February 26, 2026:
The appeal hearing takes place at CAS headquarters in Lausanne. – February 26, 2026