Malaysian public in outrage and shame after FIFA's ban of 7 naturalized players

Midfielder Hector Hevel (number 13) plays in Malaysia's 4-0 win over Vietnam in Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Malaysia on June 10, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Tu

FIFA announced on Friday night that Malaysia had falsified documents for seven naturalized players claiming eligibility through bloodline. FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (US$438,700), while each player received a 2,000 Swiss franc fine and a 12-month ban from all football-related activities.

The New Straits Times headlined: "Forgery shame: FIFA slaps FAM with heavy fine and player bans," while news site Scoop called it "a suspension that rattles Malaysian football."

International outlets, including Reuters, AP and Arab News, as well as Southeast Asian publications like Bola, Siam Sports and The Straits Times, also reported the incident as shocking news.

CNN Indonesia commented that the severe punishment was like "a thunderbolt to FAM and the players" and warned that Malaysia's 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign could be ruined.

The news sparked outrage on social media in Malaysia. Fans criticized FAM for mismanagement, with hashtags like #FAMMustAnswer and #LetMalaysiansPlay trending on X, showing their disappointment over alleged cheating to concern over the impact on local talent development.

A fan wrote: "Naturalized players are always welcome as long as they follow the correct procedures. But what if the documents are fake? It's cheating."

Another asked: "A large fine and a ban from playing... How does FAM intend to explain this mess?"

FAM responded the same evening, asserting that all naturalization documents had been processed transparently according to FIFA guidelines and that the players were officially cleared to represent Malaysia.

The federation announced plans to appeal FIFA's decision. Their official statement on social media received nearly 10,000 interactions, including 3,000 comments, with mixed reactions, from skepticism to hope.

"If it is true that the documents were forged, this is the most humiliating and darkest moment for FAM, after the 0-10 loss to UAE in 2015. Hopefully it is not true," one supporter wrote.

Another added: "We must support and pray for the best for Malaysian football. We should not criticize and blame. Let the experts handle it because this is not an 'amateur match' to easily bully the players. Hopefully there will be light for the Malaysia national team."

The seven players sanctioned by FIFA are Gabriel Palmero and Jon Irazabal (Spain), Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca (Argentina), Joao Figueireido (Brazil), and Hector Hevel (Netherlands).

Palmero and Hevel debuted in Malaysia's 2-0 win over Nepal in March, while the remaining five played in the thrashing 4-0 victory over Vietnam, where Holgado and Figueireido scored.

Currently, Malaysia lead Group F in the qualifiers with six points, three ahead of Vietnam and Laos. If FIFA enforces forfeits for the previous two games against Nepal and Vietnam, Malaysia's chance to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup would get much slimmer.

 

 

Malaysian public in outrage and shame after FIFA's ban of 7 naturalized players

Malaysia 4-0 Việt Nam