Fifa’s investigation reveals that none of the seven footballers, who were registered as Malaysian players, had any direct links to the country.
In elaborating on its Sept 25 decision that saw heavy sanctions imposed on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the seven “heritage” players, FIFA presented the original birth certificates of the players’ grandparents, which trace their origins to Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and the Netherlands.
In response, FAM issued a statement earlier today, stressing that Fifa had not provided any evidence to support its allegations.
Fifa said it received an inquiry regarding the eligibility of the seven footballers – Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vítor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Héctor Alejandro Hevel Serrano – between March 19 and June 6. Fifa subsequently replied to FAM, explaining, inter alia, that based on the information provided, the players “appeared to comply with all the pertinent requirements and would be eligible to play for FAM’s representative team(s).”
Fifa also pointed out that the relevant statement from the Director General of the National Registration Department (NRD) in Malaysia, filed by FAM, was of particular relevance. The NRD confirmed that the Malaysian authorities never received the original birth certificates.
“Instead, the NRD issued its own copies based on secondary information and foreign documents from Argentina, Brazil, and Spain. The NRD further admitted that it could not retrieve the original handwritten records and therefore issued official copies based on evidence that a birth had occurred.
“This admission, so finds the Committee, indicates that the Malaysian government’s validation process may not have been based on original documents, which calls into question the thoroughness of FAM’s verification process,” Fifa said.
On June 10, the footballers participated in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers against Vietnam. Malaysia won 4-0.
On June 11, the world body received a complaint regarding the eligibility of five of the footballers. According to Fifa, the complainant submitted “a formal complaint regarding reason to believe that certain foreign-born players are ineligible to represent the Malaysian national football team […] their arrival in Malaysia and their commencement of playing for local clubs occurred relatively recently […] Their naturalisation process and international debut took place within a questionable timeframe, raising significant questions about the validity of this process.”
The Secretariat to the Fifa disciplinary committee carried out an investigation. In the scope of the investigation, the Secretariat was able to gather a copy of the original birth certificates in question.
On Aug 22 and 28, disciplinary proceedings were opened against the FAM and the players for the potential breach of Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).
“The Respondents (FAM and the players) were notified of the opening letter by the Secretariat via the Fifa legal portal. A deadline until Sept 22 was given to the Respondents to reply. On Sept 22, the Respondents presented their position,” Fiifa said.
“On Sept 22, the Secretariat informed the Respondents that the case was referred to the Committee for consideration and a formal decision on Sept 25. The operative part of the decision was notified to the Respondents on Sept 26.”
According to Fifa, FAM argued:
- Competent Malaysian authorities were presented with the applications concerning the players, with the relevant documents and an official file of each player was opened by the Malaysian government.
- The authorities carried out all verifications and checks required as declared by the relevant Director General of the National Registration Department: “In the present case, the applicants provided to us all the required documents together with the names and identification details of their grandparents. […] NRD conducted a cross-examination
and verification of this information” […] “to confirm the applicant’s lineage through their grandparents.”. - This confirms that the Players’ ancestral connections to Malaysia were authenticated, and that the aforementioned department confirmed that the Players’ nationalities were given in line with the Malaysian Constitution.
- As a result of these assessments, FAM then forwarded the relevant applications to Fifa.
- Neither FAM nor the players were ever aware of the circumstance that some of the documents submitted might have been falsified.
- Neither FAM nor the players ever played any role in the preparation of the documents that are now alleged to be false.
- The conduct of FAM and the players was correct and devoid of any intent or fault.
FAM had also urged Fifa to render a decision “as soon as possible” since Malaysia will play two international matches on Oct 9 and 14, close the current investigation declaring the relevant complaint ungrounded, and to confirm the footballers’ eligibility to play for FAM.
Fifa said its Committee was comfortably satisfied that the birth certificates submitted by the Respondents in the Fifa proceedings had been forged and/or falsified, in that they were doctored to alter the players’ grandparents’ birthplace listed.
It also said FAM and the players’ assertion that Fifa issued a “confirmation” on the footballers’ eligibility (prior to the Vietnam game) is misleading.
“In this respect, according to the documentation on file, Fifa’s correspondence merely stated that the players “appeared to
be eligible” on the basis of the information provided at the time. The Committee deemed that, had Fifa been in possession of the original, unaltered documents, it would have arrived at a different conclusion as the relevant provisions of the RGAS ( Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes) require a direct link of a player’s grandparents to be eligible to pay for a representative team of a member association to which it acquires the nationality. With the original, unaltered documentation, this link does not exist.
“In light of these considerations, the Committee firmly concluded that the players are the ultimate beneficiaries of the use of the doctored documentation in terms of the eligibility, and in conjunction with the FAM effectively, illegally, and successfully enjoyed the consequences of such use, which deserve an adequate sanction.”
FAM remains committed to defending the interests of Malaysian football
FAM confirmed it had received the full judgment document from Fifa, adding it will formally submit an appeal through the designated legal channels.
“FAM also wishes to emphasise that all documents and supporting evidence related to this issue are complete and ready to be submitted to Fifa immediately through official channels.
“FAM takes seriously several of the conclusions, particularly the allegation that the players “obtained forged documents” or deliberately attempted to circumvent eligibility regulations. FAM stresses that no evidence supporting these allegations has been presented by Fifa,” read FAM’s statement.
It added all documentation and submissions related to the players’ eligibility were prepared, verified, and managed entirely by FAM in accordance with the established procedures.
“At all times, the players acted in good faith, relying fully on the verification and registration processes conducted by FAM. FAM believes that this portrayal is inaccurate and unfair, and this matter will be raised comprehensively through the official appeal process.
“FAM remains committed to defending the interests of Malaysian football, protecting the rights of the players, and ensuring that this process is conducted transparently and in accordance with the regulations. FAM will pursue every available legal avenue to fight this case.”
FAM stressed that the episode contains official information regarding the Government of Malaysia’s procedures for passport issuance and verification.
“In line with the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1972 and the Passports Act 1966, any disclosure related to such materials or processes without authorisation is strictly prohibited. Therefore, FAM is legally bound to maintain confidentiality over these elements. As such, FAM will only share the relevant information with FIFA for the purpose of this case.”
