In an official statement released on Dec. 17, the FAM confirmed it had received the latest sanctions following an FDC meeting on Dec. 12, 2025, chaired by vice-chairman Jorge Palacio.
FIFA determined that the FAM violated the FIFA Disciplinary Code by fielding ineligible players in three Tier 1 international fixtures earlier this year. The original results have been annulled and recorded as 0-3 defeats. The three matches are Malaysia vs. Cape Verde at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, Cheras on May 29, 2025, ending in a 1-1 draw; Malaysia vs. Singapore at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Sept. 4, 2025, ending in a 2-1 victory for Malaysia; and Malaysia vs. Palestine at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, Johor on Sept. 8, 2025, ending in a 1-0 victory for Malaysia.
Facundo Garces, one of seven players who falsified their naturalization documents, plays in Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Malaysia on June 10, 2025. Photo by Malaysia NT |
The sanctions started from an investigation into the document falsification of seven naturalized players: Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Gabriel Palmero, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.
The FDC concluded that the use of forged or invalid civil registration documents in the registration files of seven players constituted a serious violation of the principles of international football.
This penalty is the harshest disciplinary action in Malaysian football history. In addition to the forfeited matches, the FAM has been fined 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000). Each of the seven players has received a 12-month ban from all football activities and an individual fine of 2,000 Swiss francs.
After FAM’s initial appeal to the FIFA Appeals Committee was rejected last month, the association has taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). An appeal was filed on Dec. 8, with detailed legal arguments to be submitted to the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Dec. 18.
CAS remains the final avenue for Malaysia in this case. While the court has the power to uphold, mitigate, or overturn FIFA’s ruling, reversals are historically rare given the detailed evidence typically presented by the world football governing body.
If CAS upholds FIFA’s ruling, Malaysia faces further penalties from the AFC. Most notably, their 4-0 victory over Vietnam at the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10, 2025, a match in which the ineligible players were featured, could be overturned and recorded as a 0-3 forfeit.
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