Kuala lumpur: The 12-month suspension from all football-related activities imposed on seven players related to the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) mixed heritage eligibility case has been deemed ‘grossly disproportionate’ by the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, FIFPRO emphasized that the players are victims in this situation, with the decision confirming they did not forge any documents to gain eligibility. FIFA has explicitly acknowledged the authenticity of the documents submitted by the players.
The statement from FIFPRO highlighted that when seven players are affected identically, it is clear that any forged documents were not due to individual actions. Furthermore, players lack the means to individually secure binding confirmation from FIFA regarding their eligibility, a procedure not mandated under current rules.
FIFPRO expressed concern that the players are being held accountable for submissions made by a national association to FIFA, placing an undue obligation on them to verify documents they neither issue nor submit.
The seven players adhered to the required process, including submitting personal documents, appearing before Malaysian authorities, undergoing oath-taking procedures, and receiving government-issued passports while awaiting eligibility clearance from FAM.
FIFPRO noted that all procedures were managed by external institutions, yet the players now face club suspensions and serious repercussions through no fault of their own. FIFPRO has extended its full support to the players and hopes the Court of Arbitration for Sport will rectify this situation.
On November 3, FIFA rejected appeals by FAM and the seven heritage players-Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano. The FIFA Appeal Committee upheld penalties against FAM and the players for document falsification under Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
As a result, FAM was fined CHF350,000 (approximately RM1.8 million), and each player was fined CHF2,000 (about RM11,000). The seven players were also suspended for 12 months from football-related activities.