FIFA show proof of forged player papers, Asian Cup result under threat

PETALING JAYA: FIFA have presented evidence of forged documents used in Malaysia mixed-heritage player registration - a ruling that has cast serious doubt on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) governance and verification processes.

On Monday (Oct 6), in a document addressed by FIFA disciplinary committee deputy chairperson Jorge Palacio, they highlighted significant inconsistencies between the original birth certificates obtained by FIFA and those submitted by FAM to support the players’ eligibility to represent Malaysia.

"The Committee wish to highlight that the original birth certificates indicated a sharp contrast to the documentation provided," Palacio stated in the ruling.

With FIFA's official announcement, Malaysian football has plunged into further crisis. This raises serious concerns about governance and verification processes within the national body.

Among the cited cases was Dutch-born midfielder Hector Hevel. The copy submitted by FAM claimed his grandfather was born in Melaka, but FIFA’s investigation revealed the original document listed The Hague, Netherlands, as the actual birthplace.

Similarly, Jon Irazabal’s documentation suggested his grandfather was from Kuching, Sarawak, yet the original document uncovered by FIFA identified Villa de Guernica in Viscaya, Spain as the correct location.

The ruling also confirmed that other players - Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca and Joao Figueiredo were found guilty alongside FAM of violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which covers falsification and use of forged documents in official proceedings.

As a result, FAM were fined 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.8 million), while each player received a 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000) fine and a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities.

FIFA’s report also cited a statement from the National Registration Department (NRD, filed by FAM, which confirmed that the Malaysian authorities had never received the original birth certificates used to verify the players’ ancestral claims.

"The NRD confirmed that the Malaysian authorities never received the original birth certificates. Instead, the NRD issued its own copies based on secondary information and foreign documents from Argentina, Brazil, and Spain,” Palacio wrote.

"This admission, so finds the committee, indicates that the Malaysian government’s validation process may not have been based on original documents, which calls into question the thoroughness of FAM’s verification process."

The decision is expected to have significant repercussions for Malaysia’s ongoing 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Windsor Paul previously indicated that if FIFA’s ruling stands, Malaysia’s match results may be overturned, with points awarded to their opponents.

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