FIFA has banned seven Malaysian national team players for 12 months due to document forgery, as reported on the federation’s official website.
Among those suspended is Facundo Garces, defender for Spanish club Alaves.
The banned players also include Gabriel Felipe, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano who have Argentine, Spanish, Brazilian, and Dutch origins.
FIFA found out that the Malaysian federation submitted forged documents for these players. The players participated in the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers against Vietnam (4-0).
All players are prohibited from any football-related activities for one year and fined 2,000 Swiss francs (€2,100) each. The Malaysian Football Association must pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (€374,000).
The players and federation have 10 days to appeal to FIFA’s Appeal Committee.
