The Malaysian football community is reeling after FIFA imposed harsh penalties for fielding ineligible players, 9jaOline can report. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed Wednesday that three recent international matches have been overturned and recorded as 3-0 losses, a decision that could derail the nation’s football dreams.
The controversy centers on seven foreign-born players who were found to have used forged documents to claim Malaysian ancestry.
FIFA’s investigation revealed that Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, and Joao Brandao Figueiredo did not meet eligibility requirements. The affected games include friendly victories against Palestine and Singapore, as well as a draw with Cape Verde.
In addition to the match forfeitures, the FAM has been fined over $450,000, including a previous penalty related to the scandal. The FAM has denied any wrongdoing and intends to appeal the decision. With the decision sending a clear message that FIFA won’t tolerate eligibility violations, the question now is whether other federations facing similar scrutiny, like DR Congo, could be next.
