FIFA Hands One-Year Ban To Seven Players

FIFA bans seven Malaysia players and fines FAM $440,000.
Players accused of using forged documents in Asia Cup qualifier.
FAM vows to challenge decision, insists FIFA earlier cleared players.

World football governing body, FIFA, has slammed a one-year suspension on seven Malaysia national team players and fined the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000) for fielding ineligible players in an Asia Cup qualifier.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the disciplinary committee announced the sanctions on Friday after investigations confirmed that Malaysia used forged documentation during their 4-0 win over Vietnam in June. FIFA explained that the punishment followed a formal complaint challenging the eligibility of several players who featured in the match.

The suspended players are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano. Each of them was also fined 2,000 Swiss francs and barred from all football-related activities for the next 12 months.

In response, the FAM expressed disappointment with the ruling and revealed plans to contest the decision through legal avenues. “FAM would like to emphasise that the players involved, and FAM itself, have acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout this process,” the association said in a statement from Kuala Lumpur.

The association further argued that FIFA had previously reviewed and confirmed the eligibility of the players in question, insisting it had acted within the rules. “In fact, FIFA has previously reviewed the qualifications of the players and provided official confirmation that they are eligible to play for Malaysia,” the FAM maintained.

Malaysia currently top their 2027 Asia Cup qualifying group with six points from two matches, though their standing could be affected by FIFA’s latest action.