Malaysia condemns leak of documents on naturalized Argentine player amid FIFA sanctions

On Oct. 30, Argentina-based outlet Capital de Noticias published documents suggesting that Garcés’s grandparents and great-grandparents were born in Argentina or Spain, not Malaysia. The information, if verified, would mean Garces fails to meet FIFA’s naturalization eligibility criteria.

The report quickly spread across social media and Southeast Asian news outlets.

Defender Facundo Garcés plays in Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam in the second round of Group F at the final qualifying stage for the 2027 Asian Cup, held at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Malaysia, on June 10, 2025. Photo by Malaysia NT

Acting FAM President Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said he was "shocked" by the claims and stressed that these documents had not been authenticated. "This is truly damaging, especially when we are awaiting FIFA’s appeal verdict," he told Malaysia news site Scoop. "We don’t know the source of this information, and it’s unfair to draw conclusions before an official decision is made."

Mahadi urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified claims, saying such reports "help neither the players nor Malaysian football."

Garcés, born on Sept. 5, 1999, in Santa Fe, Argentina, began his career with local club Colón before joining La Liga side Alavés in January 2025, where he quickly became a key defender. He debuted for Malaysia in a 4–0 win against Vietnam during the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers on June 10, 2025.

Garces is among seven naturalized Malaysian players banned by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Sept. 26 for allegedly using falsified documents. The others include two other Argentines, Imanol Machuca and Rodrigo Holgado, as well as Spain’s Gabriel Palmero and Jon Irazabal, Brazil’s Joao Figueireido, and the Netherlands’ Hector Hevel.

FAM’s legal representatives said FIFA was expected to release the appeal verdict on Oct. 30 or 31, though the final ruling could be delayed. FIFA’s Appeal Committee is reportedly reviewing additional evidence and considering adjustments to the sanctions, given the scale and impact of the case. While outcomes remain uncertain, a full acquittal is considered "highly unlikely".

Malaysia are still eligible to play in the remaining Asian Cup qualifiers, where the team currently top their group with 12 points from across four matches. However, under the tournament rules, Malaysia could face 3–0 forfeits for fielding ineligible players against Nepal and Vietnam. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will issue its final ruling once FIFA or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concludes the appeal process.