FIFA Accuses Malaysia of Forging Citizenship Documents, Suspends Seven Footballers
Global governing body says Football Association of Malaysia submitted doctored birth records so foreign-born players could represent the national team
FIFA has formally accused the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) of falsifying citizenship documents to allow seven foreign-born footballers to play for Malaysia.
In its newly released 19-page findings, FIFA said FAM submitted birth certificates purporting that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysian states, but that original records obtained independently showed those relatives were born in Argentina, Brazil, Spain or the Netherlands.
The Disciplinary Committee found that the association “used doctored documentation” in eligibility applications, in breach of Article 22 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code on forgery and falsification.
As a result, FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs, and each implicated player was suspended for twelve months and ordered to pay 2,000 Swiss francs.
The eligibility of those seven players to represent Malaysia has now been referred to FIFA’s Football Tribunal.
The players in question—Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui and Héctor Alejandro Hevel—had appeared in Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam on 10 June 2025 in an Asian Cup qualifier.
Following the match, concerns over their eligibility triggered the investigation.
FAM responded by characterising inconsistencies as administrative “technical errors,” while maintaining that the players were lawful Malaysian citizens.
The association has signaled its intent to appeal the sanctions and will present original documentation during the appeals process.
Malaysia’s Sports Minister expressed concern about the reputational harm and stressed that all sides should allow due legal process.
Analysts note that the decision jeopardizes Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign: the Asian Football Confederation may review whether match results should be overturned.
Meanwhile, the suspension of seven key players deals a heavy blow to the national team’s competitiveness.
Federation leaders have questioned why FIFA reversed earlier eligibility approvals and whether external complaints influenced the outcome.
As the legal and procedural appeal unfolds, the case raises profound questions about governance, verification, and accountability in international football eligibility systems.
In its newly released 19-page findings, FIFA said FAM submitted birth certificates purporting that the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysian states, but that original records obtained independently showed those relatives were born in Argentina, Brazil, Spain or the Netherlands.
The Disciplinary Committee found that the association “used doctored documentation” in eligibility applications, in breach of Article 22 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code on forgery and falsification.
As a result, FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs, and each implicated player was suspended for twelve months and ordered to pay 2,000 Swiss francs.
The eligibility of those seven players to represent Malaysia has now been referred to FIFA’s Football Tribunal.
The players in question—Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui and Héctor Alejandro Hevel—had appeared in Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam on 10 June 2025 in an Asian Cup qualifier.
Following the match, concerns over their eligibility triggered the investigation.
FAM responded by characterising inconsistencies as administrative “technical errors,” while maintaining that the players were lawful Malaysian citizens.
The association has signaled its intent to appeal the sanctions and will present original documentation during the appeals process.
Malaysia’s Sports Minister expressed concern about the reputational harm and stressed that all sides should allow due legal process.
Analysts note that the decision jeopardizes Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign: the Asian Football Confederation may review whether match results should be overturned.
Meanwhile, the suspension of seven key players deals a heavy blow to the national team’s competitiveness.
Federation leaders have questioned why FIFA reversed earlier eligibility approvals and whether external complaints influenced the outcome.
As the legal and procedural appeal unfolds, the case raises profound questions about governance, verification, and accountability in international football eligibility systems.
