Malaysia’s ‘Forged Ancestry’ Scandal Deepens: FIFA Upholds Bans Against National Team

Last Updated:November 03, 2025, 21:17 IST

FIFA upheld bans on seven Malaysia players, fining FAM for forged documents in Malaysia’s team, sparking major controversy and internal suspensions.

(Credit: X)

FIFA has dismissed appeals from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven foreign-born players over the now-infamous “forgery and falsification" saga, confirming the punishments handed down last month.

The decision means Malaysian football’s reputation remains mired in controversy, after FIFA found the federation guilty of using falsified documents in official proceedings, a breach of Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

What Happened

FIFA’s investigation centered on documents allegedly forged to prove Malaysian heritage for seven players — Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Hector Hevel, and Jon Irazábal.

These documents were used to claim the players’ grandparents were Malaysian, allowing them to be fast-tracked for citizenship and represent Malaysia in international matches. The players even featured in Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam during the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers earlier this year.

However, a formal complaint lodged soon after that game prompted FIFA to launch a full investigation during which investigators reportedly obtained original birth and identity records from the players’ home countries that contradicted the claims.

The Verdict

FIFA’s appeals committee on Monday upheld the initial sanctions:

• A fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (approx. $433,000) for FAM.
• One-year global bans for all seven players.

The ruling clears the path for Malaysia to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the next month.

The scandal has sparked a wider shake-up within Malaysian football. The FAM has already suspended its secretary general, Noor Azman Rahman, pending an internal probe.

It’s an especially awkward moment for the association, given that its former president, Hamidin bin Haji Mohd Amin, currently sits on the FIFA Council.

(with agency inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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