Seven foreign players, recently sanctioned by the International Football Federation (FIFA) for falsifying documents to obtain Malaysian citizenship, are reportedly preparing to take legal action against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). The players intend to seek significant compensation, citing a substantial loss of income and the potential curtailment of their professional football careers following FIFA’s one-year ban from all football activities.
Each of the seven players was handed a $2,000 fine by FIFA, in addition to the year-long suspension, which is set to conclude on August 26, 2026. The players argue that these severe penalties have not only directly impacted their earning potential but also cast a dark cloud over their ability to continue playing professionally once the ban is lifted.
Sources indicate that overseas lawyers are currently in discussions with the affected players, exploring the viability of filing a lawsuit against FAM. This legal pursuit is deemed crucial by the players to ensure their financial stability throughout the period of their ban and to support their efforts in securing new clubs once they are eligible to return to the sport.
The immediate repercussions on the players’ careers are already evident. Colombian striker Rodrigo Holgado, for instance, has reportedly seen his contract terminated, while defender Gabriel Palmero experienced the cancellation of both his loan spell and his original club contract. The futures of Facundo Garces at Deportivo Alaves and Imanol Machuca at Velez Sarsfield are also reported to be in considerable doubt. Meanwhile, players such as Hector Hevel, Joao Figueireido, and Jon Irazabal, who play for Malaysian powerhouse Johor Darul Ta’zim, a club associated with the state’s royal heir, may face a different set of challenges or prospects.
Adding another layer to this complex situation, FAM itself is engaged in its own legal battle, appealing FIFA’s sanctions against the association at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This appeal comes after the FIFA Appeals Commission rejected FAM’s initial claim. The Malaysian Football Association faces a substantial fine of $434,260 imposed by FIFA, highlighting the widespread implications of the document falsification scandal.
