FIFA awards Malaysia 3-0 losses for fielding ineligible players

FIFA has dealt Malaysia a major setback, awarding the country three 3-0 defeats for fielding ineligible players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed on Wednesday. This marks the latest twist in an ongoing eligibility controversy

Matches that were previously recorded as friendly wins against Palestine and Singapore, as well as a home draw with Cape Verde earlier this year, have all been overturned, the FAM said.

The sanctions follow FIFA’s suspension of seven foreign-born Malaysian national team players after investigations revealed they submitted falsified documents claiming Malaysian ancestry.

FAM, which had already been fined $440,000 in the unfolding scandal, has now been hit with an additional $12,500 penalty. According to a FIFA disciplinary committee meeting held last Friday, “Malaysia is declared to have lost 3-0 in all three matches,” the FAM stated.

The investigation began after FIFA received a complaint following Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam in June during an Asian Cup qualifier, in which two of the seven implicated players scored.

FIFA’s probe concluded that Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, and Joao Brandao Figueiredo did not have a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia, a requirement for national team eligibility.

Despite the ruling, FAM maintains it did nothing wrong and confirmed it will appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.