FIFA has charged Malaysia with falsifying citizenship documents to enable seven foreign-born players to represent the national football team.
In late September, FIFA imposed fines and suspensions on the players, and on Monday, it released a report defending its decision. According to FIFA, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) forged birth certificates to falsely indicate that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia, an act FIFA labeled as “clear cheating.”
(FAM), however, attributed the issue to an “administrative error” and insisted the players are “legitimate Malaysian citizens.” The association announced plans to appeal FIFA’s sanctions.
FIFA’s “grandfather rule” permits foreign-born footballers to represent nations where their biological parents or grandparents were born, aiming to prevent teams from recruiting overseas talent solely to enhance performance.
Following Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam in June, FIFA investigated the eligibility of several players. In September, FIFA’s disciplinary committee imposed a one-year suspension on seven players and fined each 2,000 Swiss francs ($2,500; £1,870) for submitting “doctored documentation.” The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was also fined 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000; £330,000).
In recent years, Southeast Asian nations have increasingly sought naturalized players, inspired by Indonesia’s success in recruiting Dutch-born players from its diaspora. Earlier this year, FAM provided FIFA with birth certificates claiming the grandparents of the seven players were born in Malaysian cities like Penang and Malacca. However, FIFA’s investigation revealed the grandparents’ original birth certificates, showing they were born in countries such as Argentina and Spain, matching the players’ birthplaces.
The sanctioned players include Spanish-born Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, and Jon Irazabal Iraurgui; Argentinian-born Rodrigo Julian Holgado and Imanol Javier Machuca; Netherlands-born Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano; and Brazilian-born Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo.
Malaysian Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh stated that FIFA’s findings had damaged the country’s reputation. She noted the ministry would await the outcome of FAM’s appeal before issuing a formal statement. “I understand local football fans are understandably angry and disappointed and want improvements,” Yeoh said at a Tuesday press conference, according to Bernama.
Malaysia faces Laos in an upcoming Asian Cup qualifier, but the team’s lineup will be significantly altered due to the absence of the suspended players.
Source : BBC
