Peter Cklamovski, the head coach of the Malaysian national football team, is reportedly facing an imminent departure from his position. This development follows severe sanctions imposed by FIFA, the international governing body for football, against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). The sanctions stem from a serious case involving the falsification of naturalization documents for seven foreign players. This scandal is poised to significantly impact the Malaysian national team, potentially jeopardizing their aspirations to qualify for the prestigious AFC Asian Cup in 2027.
Cklamovski, an Australian national, was appointed as Malaysia’s coach in January with the ambitious goal of securing a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. However, Malaysian media outlets are now widely reporting that a separation between the 47-year-old coach and the national team is highly probable. If this separation indeed occurs, it is believed to be primarily due to Cklamovski’s potential loss of key players crucial for achieving the objectives he initially agreed upon with the FAM. Sources suggest that the Australian tactician would only consider staying if he is provided with the specific players he deems necessary to compete effectively. Local media have expressed a strong desire for Cklamovski to remain, hoping he will not depart during this challenging period for Malaysian football.
In response to the widespread local media speculation regarding his future, Cklamovski released a statement affirming his commitment to his current responsibilities with the national team. The Australian coach, however, did not offer any further clarification regarding his long-term future with the Malaysian squad. Meanwhile, the direct consequences of the FIFA sanctions are beginning to manifest. Malaysia currently faces the imminent threat of a points deduction from the points they secured against Vietnam during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Group H qualifiers in June. This potential deduction would materialize if Malaysia’s appeal against FIFA’s naturalization fraud sanctions proves unsuccessful.
The severity of FIFA’s disciplinary action extends beyond potential point deductions. The Football Association of Malaysia has been hit with a substantial financial penalty totaling approximately $435,600. Furthermore, the seven foreign players implicated in the document falsification scheme have each been fined $2,000 and handed a full one-year suspension from all football-related activities. These significant bans place the players’ professional careers in considerable jeopardy, with many facing the prospect of being unable to compete for a prolonged period.
In a recent development, reports indicate that the seven affected foreign players are considering legal action, planning to sue the FAM for compensation. They seek to recover the wages lost during their year-long suspension, aiming to secure financial support for their daily living expenses until the sanctions are lifted and they can potentially find new clubs to resume their careers.
The players involved in this naturalization scandal include Jon Irazabal, originally from Spain; Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, and Imanol Machuca, all from Argentina; Joao Figueiredo, a Brazilian national; and Hector Hevel, who hails from the Netherlands. Among these players, Facundo Garces is reportedly facing additional professional challenges, with his club, Deportivo Alaves, currently reviewing the possibility of an early contract termination in light of the unfolding events.
