FIFA Sanctions Malaysia Over Forged Documents For Foreign-Born Players

FIFA has penalised Malaysia with three 3-0 defeats for fielding ineligible players, the country’s football authorities said Wednesday, the latest punishment in a simmering scandal.

Friendly wins over Palestine and Singapore, and a draw against Cape Verde, all at home this year, have been overturned, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said.

FIFA has already suspended seven foreign-born national team players over forged documents that claimed they had Malaysian ancestry.

The FAM, previously fined $440,000, has now been hit with a further $12,500 punishment.

A FIFA disciplinary committee meeting on Friday ruled that “Malaysia is declared to have lost 3-0 in all three matches”, the FAM said.

FIFA launched an investigation after receiving a complaint following Malaysia’s 4-0 win against Vietnam in June in an Asian Cup qualifier.

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Two of the seven players scored.

Its investigation showed none of Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, or Joao Brandao Figueiredo had a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia, a requirement for selection to a national team.

The FAM has denied any wrongdoing and pledged to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

AFP