FIFA suspends seven Malaysia players over forged documents

FIFA on Friday suspended seven Malaysia national team players for 12 months and fined the country’s football association 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000) over forged documents used for an Asia Cup qualifier.

World football’s disciplinary committee imposed the sanctions after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) doctored documentation to be able to field the players in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in June, it said in a statement.

FIFA acted after it received a complaint regarding the eligibility of a number of players who featured in the match.

As a result Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano were all fined 2,000 Swiss francs.

They were also banned from any football-related activity for 12 months.

Reacting to the suspension, the FAM said it would appeal the decision.

The body said it would “use all available legal channels and procedures to ensure that the interests of the players and the Malaysian national team are always protected”.

“FAM would like to emphasise that the players involved, and FAM itself have acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout this process,” the association said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur.

The FAM maintained that documentation and procedures were managed transparently and along FIFA guidelines.

“In fact, FIFA has previously reviewed the qualifications of the players and provided official confirmation that they are eligible to play for Malaysia,” the FAM said.

Malaysia currently top their 2027 Asia Cup qualifying group with six points from two matches, pending any further FIFA sanctions.