Malaysian Naturalized Players' Fake Document Scandal: FAM Even Goes To CAS And Against FIFA

FAM will bring the Malaysian naturalized player fake document scandal to CAS (doc. FAM).

JAKARTA - The FIFA Appeal Commission has issued a decision to reject the Malaysian Football Federation (FAM) appeal for the scandal of fake naturalized players' documents on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Instead of subject to the results of the appeal, FAM is against and will fight FIFA at the Sports Arbitration Court (CAS).

In a statement, the President of FAM, Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Haji Mahadi (Datuk Yusoff Mahadi), confirmed that they had accepted a complete written decision from FIFA and would take it to CAS.

"FAM will begin the process of bringing the case to CAS. This step was taken to ensure justice is upheld and to maintain the integrity of the player's feasibility process set by the Malaysian government and related agencies."

"FAM remains committed to fighting for the rights of all eligible players to represent the country and will ensure that every action is taken professionally, transparently, and through the right legal channels," said Yusoff on the FAM website.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee on September 26, 2025 fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (around Rp7.3 billion) for using fake documents in the registration of seven naturalized players.

The players Facundo Garces, Imanol Machuca, Hector Hevel, Gabriel Palmero, Rodrigo Holgado, Joao Figueiredo, and Jon Irazabal were each suspended for 12 months from all football activities and fined 2,000 Swiss francs (around Rp42 million).