The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has launched an investigation into allegations of “doctored documentation” involving seven mixed-heritage players in the Harimau Malaya national football squad, following a disciplinary ruling by FIFA.
MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki announced that Zainul Darus, the agency’s senior director of investigations, will liaise with FIFA to gather further details on the claims. “This inquiry will ascertain whether the allegations fall within MACC’s jurisdiction,” Azam told FMT.
On Friday, FIFA’s disciplinary committee imposed a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.9 million) on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for an alleged breach of Article 22 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which addresses forgery and falsification.
Additionally, each of the seven players—Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano—was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM11,000) and received a 12-month suspension, effective immediately.
The players, all of whom participated in Malaysia’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, were named in a complaint to FIFA questioning their eligibility to represent Malaysia. The controversy stems from an Indonesian report in July, which alleged that Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam could be overturned due to the ineligibility of some naturalized players. The report claimed the result might be voided, with Vietnam potentially awarded a 3-0 win.
FAM Acting President Yusoff Mahadi dismissed the Indonesian report as baseless, asserting that the association had adhered to all required procedures for player registration. He confirmed that FAM received official notification from FIFA regarding the alleged violation and plans to appeal the decision. “The association and the players acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout the process,” Yusoff stated.
Notably, nine of Malaysia’s starting eleven players in the Vietnam match were naturalized, with five—Figueiredo, Holgado, Irazábal, Garcés, and Machuca—receiving FIFA clearance mere hours before the game.
