FIFA has launched a formal probe into the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) after the body suspended seven naturalised players over allegations of using forged documents.
The players; including Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado and Imanol Machuca, were banned for 12 months after FIFA found “significant discrepancies” in the birth certificates submitted to prove their eligibility.
FIFA said it will assess FAM’s internal governance mechanisms, identify those responsible, and decide whether further disciplinary measures are needed.
As part of the fallout, FAM has been fined 350,000 Swiss francs, suspended its secretary-general, and launched its own independent investigation.
The Malaysian FA has strongly rejected the allegations, calling them an administrative error and pledging to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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