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In an announcement released on Monday night, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed that CAS has stayed the execution of the 12-month ban originally handed down by FIFA on Sept. 26, 2025, Bernama reported.
This ruling allows the group of players to resume their professional careers and participate in football activities while they await a final verdict on the appeal.
"They are allowed to continue their careers and take part in any football-related activities until a final decision on the appeal at CAS is made," FAM said.
The request for this stay of execution was submitted by the Malaysia legal team on Dec. 8, 2025, concurrently with their official appeal to CAS. The court reached its decision after reviewing submissions from the players' lawyers and the legal teams of FAM and FIFA.
Previously, an investigation by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee concluded that Malaysia had used forged or invalid birth certificates to register seven naturalized players, a severe breach of international eligibility rules. These players are Joao Figueiredo (Brazil), Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces (Argentina), Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero (Spain) and Hector Hevel (Netherlands).
As a result, FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (US$450,000), while each player received a 12-month ban from all football activities and a 2,000-franc fine. The consequence was immediate, with Machuca, Holgado and Palmero reportedly having their contracts terminated by their respective clubs.
In December, FIFA stripped Malaysia of results in friendly matches against Cape Verde, Singapore and Palestine, which featured the ineligible players, awarding 3-0 victories to their opponents.
However, the status of Malaysia's crucial 2027 Asian Cup qualifying wins, 2-0 against Nepal and 4-0 against Vietnam in 2025, rests with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The confederation is currently withholding judgment until CAS issues its final ruling on the appeal.
The AFC expects a decision before the Asian Cup qualifying match between Vietnam and Malaysia on March 31, 2026, scheduled for Thien Truong Stadium in northern Vietnam.
Although CAS has granted interim relief, a date for the full hearing has not yet been set due to the court's heavy schedule in January.
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Timeline of Malaysia naturalized players saga: - March 19, 2025: FAM asked FIFA to verify the eligibility of Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano, providing a birth record claiming his grandfather was born in Melaka, Malaysia. - March 20, 2025: FAM filed a similar request for Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, citing a document showing his grandmother was born in Melaka. - March 24, 2025: FIFA replied that Hevel "appears eligible" based on submitted documents. - June 6, 2025: FAM submitted files for five additional players, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueireido, and Jon Irazabal, each with a grandparent’s birth certificate claiming Malaysian origin (Penang, George Town, Johor, or Sarawak). - June 6–9, 2025: FIFA replies that the five players also "appear eligible." - June 10, 2025: All seven players debuted in Malaysia’s 4–0 win against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. - June 11, 2025: FIFA receives a formal complaint from a member association questioning the legitimacy and the players’ naturalization process. - Aug. 22 & 28, 2025: After investigation, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee opened formal proceedings, citing violations of Article 22 of the FIFA Code. - Aug. 22, 2025: FAM President Joehari Ayub resigns, citing health reasons. - Sept. 22, 2025: FAM and the players submit formal responses, arguing they acted in good faith based on documents validated by Malaysian authorities. - Sept. 25, 2025: FDC Vice Chairman Jorge Palacio issues the final disciplinary ruling. - Sept. 26, 2025: FIFA officially notifies FAM and the players of the decision and sanctions. - Oct. 6, 2025: FIFA sends a detailed 19-page report outlining its legal basis, investigation process, and reasoning. - Oct. 15, 2025: Malaysia files an official appeal against FIFA’s sanctions. - Oct. 30, 2025: Appeal ruling expected. - Nov. 3, 2025: FIFA rejects Malaysia's appeal. - Dec. 8, 2025: Malaysia files an appeal against FIFA to CAS. - Dec. 17, 2025: FIFA handed Malaysia 0-3 defeats in three friendly matches against Cape Verde, Singapore and Palestine. - Dec. 18, 2025: Malaysia finalizes its detailed arguments and submits them to CAS. - Jan. 26, 2026: CAS suspends FIFA's ban on seven naturalized players until the final verdict. |
