November 4 – FIFA has dismissed the appeal by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) over ‘doctored documentation’, the global governing body confirmed on Monday.

In a statement, FIFA said that its appeal committee had upheld the original punishments against FAM and seven players after Zurich had ruled that Malaysia had breached article 22 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, pertaining to “having used forged and/or falsified documents in FIFA proceedings”.

Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Hector Hevel and John Irazabal all obtained Malaysian nationality on documents that showed they had grandparents with Malaysian heritage. Following the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam, in which all seven players featured, a complaint was lodged.

FIFA has upheld the original ruling, imposing a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs on FAM and a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs, as well as handing the seven players in question 12-month suspensions from all football-related activities.

In a statement, FAM said: “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.”

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1762258758labto1762258758ofdlr1762258758owedi1762258758sni@i1762258758tnuk.1762258758ardni1762258758mas1762258758