FIFPro protests FIFA ban on 7 Malaysia naturalized players

Malaysia players celebrate a goal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Photo by MalaysiaNT

In a statement released on Monday, FIFPro criticized the sanctions imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee (FDC) in September and upheld by the FIFA Appeal Committee (FAC) last month.

"It is clear that the players are, in fact, victims in this matter," the statement wrote. "The decision itself confirms that they did not forge any documents to obtain eligibility, explicitly acknowledging that the documents they submitted were authentic. When not fewer than seven players find themselves in the exact same situation, it is evident that any possible forged documents were not the result of individual actions."

The controversy involves seven players of Argentine, Brazilian, Dutch and Spanish origins who were naturalized in 2025 based on claims that their grandparents were born in Malaysia. These players were instrumental in Malaysia's 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, helping the team secure wins against Nepal (2-0) and Vietnam (4-0).

However, a FIFA investigation located the original birth certificates of the players' grandparents, proving they were born outside Malaysia. Consequently, FIFA suspended the players from all football activities for one year, effective from Sept. 26, and fined each 2,000 Swiss francs ($2,250).

FIFPro, which represents over 70,000 professional players globally, argues that the players followed the correct naturalization procedures, like submitting personal documents, appearing before Malaysian authorities, taking the oath of allegiance and receiving government-issued passports.

FIFPro noted that FIFA acknowledged the players did not personally falsify documents. The organization argues it is unreasonable to punish players for documents submitted by a national association, in this case the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

"It is ... especially troubling that they are being held responsible for submissions made by a national association to FIFA, and that an apparent obligation is put on them to verify documents they neither issue nor submit," FIFPro added.

FIFA’s position, detailed in a 64-page ruling on Nov. 18, contradicts FIFPro's "victim" narrative. The world football governing body argued that the players were negligent for failing to verify their own lineage claims and for leaving the process entirely to agents and FAM without supervision.

FIFA emphasized that because the players gained benefits from the document forgery, such as international caps and career opportunities, they are also responsible.

The consequences have been immediate. Three of the naturalized players, Imanol Machuca, Rodrigo Holgado and Gabriel Palmero, have already had their contracts terminated by their clubs.

FIFPro expressed hope that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) would "overturn this injustice", showing its full support for the players.

FAM and the players have a 21-day window from the Nov. 18 ruling to file an appeal with CAS, which remains their final legal measure.