Malaysian newspaper demands justice for 7 banned naturalized players

Forward Joao Figueiredo (R) in Malaysia's 4-0 win over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 10, 2025. Photo by FAM

In an article on Friday, Sinar Harian showed sympathy for the seven players and argued the one-year ban is "too harsh" as they may be victims of administrative errors.

"These seven players may not realize that they are actually victims of errors in registration and documentation by other parties," the newspaper wrote. "But in modern football, players need to be more careful, sensitive and responsible about their origins."

The seven punished players, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel, were banned by FIFA for 12 months from Sept. 26 for using falsified documents to legitimize their Malaysian ancestry.

Sinar Harian commented on the severe impact of the suspension on the players.

"Not playing for a long time can affect their progression, fitness and even their market value," it added. "It is also very difficult for them to regain their positions at their clubs, not to mention their image is now tarnished."

The newspaper expressed hope that FAM's pending appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) could restore the careers and reputations of these players.

Free Malaysia Today (FMT) accused FAM of deflecting responsibility to other organizations and individuals.

"FAM has claimed institutional innocence in at least two ways: one, by suspending its general secretary, and two, by forming an independent investigating committee to inquire into how the falsification took place," FMT wrote. "To the discerning fan in the street, however, those steps look like nothing more than a smokescreen."

The newspaper warned that the CAS appeal is a gamble that "presented risks compounding the damage."

"FAM will be accused either of having acted deliberately or negligently, resulting in the players being suspended and their clubs deprived of their services," FMT added. "If proven, legal consequences are bound to follow, leaving FAM exposed."

FIFA rejected FAM's original appeal on Nov. 3, upholding a 350,000 Swiss franc (US$432,000) fine for FAM and a one-year ban from all football activities for the seven players.

FAM has 21 days to submit the case to CAS. The association has not yet confirmed if the appeal has been submitted.