Yesterday was exactly a week since Fifa, the world football governing body, sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven footballers for violating Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) regarding forgery and falsification.
The seven – Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano – played in Malaysia’s Asia Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.
The world body claimed that when FAM submitted eligibility enquiries to Fifa, it used "doctored documentation". FAM denies this.
However, until today, the national association has not produced the proof of heritage – the family tree of all seven footballers who are supposedly connected to Malaysia.
What is Article 22 of the FDC?
Forgery and falsification
Anyone who, in football-related activities, forges a document, falsifies an authentic document, or uses a forged or falsified document will be sanctioned with a fine and a ban of at least six matches or for a specific period of no less than 12 months.
An association or a club may be held liable for an act of forgery or falsification by one of its officials and/or players.
The sanctions
FAM ordered to pay a fine of CHF 350,000 (RM1.9 million) to Fifa.
Each of the footballers has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 2,000 (RM11,000) to Fifa.
The players were handed a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities, effective from the date of notification of the decision.
The players’ eligibility to play for Malaysia has been referred by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee to the Fifa Football Tribunal for consideration.
FAM and the players have until Oct 6 to file an appeal.
Who said what
FAM was quick to respond, claiming it acted transparently and in good faith throughout the process, adhering to all guidelines and procedures. It said Fifa had previously confirmed the players’ eligibility and intends to appeal the decision.
Johor Darul Ta’zim owner, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, quickly waded into the controversy, issuing a series of statements against the decision:
What caused the sudden decision?
Did an external entity influence the decision?
Who was in New York?
Why did Fifa release the decision before the appeal process was completed?
Tunku Ismail also shared a National Registration Department (NRD) statement, backing the citizenship claims of the seven players.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said FAM should exhaust the appeal process, adding that her ministry viewed Fifa’s decision seriously as it impacted the entire national team.
One of Yeoh’s predecessors, Khairy Jamaluddin, shared a flowchart of the player registration process and asked: "Who lodged the complaint? And why now?"
Former Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia president Safee Sali, one of the country’s most decorated strikers, urged critics and fans to stop playing the blame game until all the facts are in.
Two days after the news broke, FAM issued another statement, saying there was a “technical error” in the documents submitted to field the players in an Asian Cup qualifier. It also said it would consider appealing the case to the International Council of Arbitration for Sport if its Fifa appeal fails.
The next day, Harimau Malaya chief executive officer, Rob Friend, finally broke his silence, saying: “We are shocked by Fifa’s decision and the unprecedented sanctions imposed on our players."
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said it had spoken to the Home Ministry and NRD and the preliminary findings indicate the issue pertains to technical processes, with no signs of corruption or offences found at this moment.
The Asian Football Confederation indicated it is closely monitoring the case and will act once the case is fully settled.
Football supporters group Ultras Malaya has thrown its support behind the governing body, but demanded FAM explain how the "technical error" occurred, for the Home Ministry to clarify the players’ citizenship application was properly processed, and for the players’ background to be made public.
Facundo Tomas Garces and Rodrigo Julián Holgado are now in Malaysia to resolve their situation.
What does Fifa say about eligibility to play for a national team
Fifa provides details on the eligibility of footballers to play for a national team. The details are available on its website. Click here to know more.
What’s next?
FAM must prove that the seven players fall under one or more of the above eligibility rules. It should also tighten its procedures to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again.
