FIFPRO Breaks Silence: Malaysia’s Alleged Forgers Are Victims, Not Villains

Background

FIFPRO, the global union of professional footballers, has said the seven players involved in Malaysia's eligibility scandal are themselves victims, and that a 12-month suspension is grossly disproportionate.

Malaysia's football association appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA barred the country in September, fining the association $440,000 for forged or altered documents meant to change the listed birthplace.

The Ban and the Investigation

FIFA banned seven players in late September following the investigation into a 4-0 win over Vietnam in the June qualifiers for the 2027 Asian Cup, with two players among the scorers.

Investigators found that none of Hector Heivel, Jon Irasabal, Gabriel Balbero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Matucho or Joao Brandao Viegrado had a father or grandfather born in Malaysia, a prerequisite for representing the national team.

FIFPRO reiterated its full support for the players, insisting they were not responsible for the violation.

In a statement, the federation argued the penalties were never proportionate to the case, and that the players were effectively victims, with decisions taken by entities over which they had no authority.

Malaysia's association emphasised that it acted in good faith, arguing the error was technical.

Reactions and Next Steps

Ultimately, the saga underscores how bureaucracy can overshadow sport, and if misfiled birthplaces counted as goals, Malaysia would top the table. Punchline 1: If birthplaces counted as goals, the paperwork department would win every season. Punchline 2: The only thing sharper than a striker's finish is a lawyer's closing argument.