FIFA, the world football body, has inflicted three defeats on Malaysia and a heavy fine for having fielded players guilty of nationality fraud in official matches, the Malaysian Football Federation (FAM) announced on Wednesday.
The home victories in friendly matches against Palestine and Singapore, as well as the draw against Cape Verde, are now considered defeats (3-0) by Fifa, which has already suspended seven players born abroad and who had produced false documents attesting to their Malaysian origin to become internationals.
The fine of 440,000 dollars (approximately 375,000 euros) which the FAM had already received was also increased by 12,500 dollars (approximately 10,600 euros), added the federation which denied any breach and indicated its desire to bring the matter before the Arbitral Tribunal of sport (TAS).
The players actually had no parents or grandparents born in Malaysia
The international body opened an investigation following a complaint filed after Malaysia’s victory over Vietnam (4-0) in June in a qualifying match for the Asian Cup, in which two of the seven players in question had scored.
The investigation showed that Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca and Joao Brandao Figueiredo actually did not have any parents or grandparents born in Malaysia, a mandatory requirement for selection for the national team.
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