FAM awaits FIFA's verdict on the case of illegal naturalization of 7 players
FIFA is expected to make a decision before October 30 on the naturalization of 7 players; if it is unfavorable, FAM has 10 days to request a record and 21 days to consider bringing the case to CAS.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is entering a crucial period when the FIFA Appeal Committee is expected to make a final decision before October 30 on the illegal naturalization of seven players. This is a case that has shaken Southeast Asian football, leading to controversies over FAM’s management process and capacity.
The upcoming verdict and important dates
On October 14, three weeks after FIFA announced the penalty, FAM filed an appeal to the Appeals Committee. According to FIFA's practice, the appeals process usually takes 1-2 months. However, according to lawyer Serge Vittoz, FAM's legal advisor, FIFA will make an official decision before October 30 and this deadline is almost certain to remain unchanged.
| Mold | Content |
|---|---|
| 14-10 | FAM files appeal to FIFA Appeal Committee |
| Before October 30 | FIFA is expected to make a final decision (according to lawyer Serge Vittoz) |
| After the verdict | If unfavorable, FAM has 10 days to request a detailed appeal record. |
| Next 21 days | FAM considers whether to bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) |
| Ability to last | By the end of November or early 2026 if complaints continue |
Initial sanctions by FIFA and individuals involved
FIFA had previously fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs for using invalid naturalization documents for seven players. Each player involved was fined 2,000 francs and banned from playing for 12 months.
List of 7 players in the profile
- Facundo Garces
- Imanol Machuca
- Hector Hevel
- Gabriel Palmero
- Rodrigo Holgado
- Joao Figueiredo
- Jon Irazabal
| Object | Penalty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FAM | Fine of 350,000 Swiss francs | Related to the use of invalid naturalization documents |
| Each player | Fined 2,000 francs; banned from competition for 12 months | 7 players mentioned above |
FAM appeal: next scenarios
If the new decision is still unfavorable, FAM has 10 days to request a detailed appeal report, followed by 21 days to consider referring the case to CAS. This means the entire legal process could drag on until late November or even early 2026 if Malaysia continues to appeal.
Governance and reputation: why it matters
The incident has severely damaged the reputation of Malaysian football, forcing FAM to set up an independent committee headed by former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif to conduct an internal investigation. With decades of experience in the judiciary, he is expected to bring transparency and fairness to the review process.
Short and long term impacts
The outcome of the appeal will determine the extent of the financial and image damage to FAM. Whatever the scenario, the naturalization process and player profile control are certainly points that need to be standardized and tightened after this incident, in order to restore the trust of fans and the regional football community.
