FIFA Ban Seven Players After Forged Documents Scandal
FIFA have banned seven players after dismissing a national governing body's appeal over a forged documents scandal.
Football's international governing body is responsible for organising football tournaments around the world, most notably the World Cup.
FIFA also has several other key principles, including promoting the game globally, and ensuring it is available to everyone who wishes to play.
However, one of its most important jobs is to 'promote integrity, ethics and fair play with a view to preventing all methods or practices, such as corruption, doping or match manipulation'.
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Now, FIFA have acted after they dismissed the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) appeal over the 'forgery and falsification' case.
At the end of September 2025, FIFA ruled that several players had breached Article 22 of its Disciplinary Code, which prohibits the use of forged, or falsified documents.
Seven overseas-born players allegedly used fake documents to claim they had grandparents of Malaysian heritage, helping them gain Malaysian citizenship.
According to ESPN, the players were deemed eligible to represent Malaysia at various points between March and June, and all featured in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
A format complaint was lodged the following day.
Following FIFA's investigation, the Malaysian football federation requested a detailed report about the 'doctored' and 'original' birthplaces of the players' grandparents.
In its statement, FIFA wrote: "After analysing the submissions and conducting a hearing, the Appeal Committee decided to dismiss the appeals, and to confirm in its entirety the ... sanctions imposed upon FAM and the seven players."
FAM were fined 350,000 Swiss francs (£331,000).
And the following seven players have received 12-month bans from football-related activities: Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Hector Hevel and Jon Irazábal.
FIFA issued their statement on Monday, November 3.
The Malaysian footballing federation now has 10 days to request a 'motivated decision'.
That would then be followed by a 21-day period for a potential appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which FAM intend to pursue.
In a statement, FAM said: "The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has received the appeal decision from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), where our appeal has been rejected.
"FAM will write to FIFA to obtain full details and written reasons for the decision before taking the next step to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"This is the first time FAM has faced a situation like this, and our lawyers and management are very surprised by the decision.
"However, FAM will continue to firmly fight for the rights of the players and the interests of Malaysian football at the international level."
James Taylor