KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — Harimau Malaya heritage player Rodrigo Julian Holgado will appeal against the 12-month suspension imposed on him by the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa).
His Colombian club America de Cali confirmed that Holgado and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will file the corresponding appeals, as provided for under the FIFA Disciplinary Code, with the aim of having the sanction reviewed by the competent authorities.
In a statement today, they said that they were notified of FIFA's decision, which bans Holgado from all football-related activities.
“The Legal Department of America de Cali will be in permanent contact with the Football Association of Malaysia to follow the development of this process,” America de Cali said.
Yesterday, Fifa said its disciplinary committee has imposed sanctions on FAM and seven heritage players for breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) relating to falsification of documents.
The other six heritage players sanctioned are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
Fifa stated that FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility, which allowed them to feature in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Vietnam on June 10.
Following that match, it received an official complaint concerning the eligibility status of several players.
As a result, FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8 million), while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM10,560) and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months, effective from the decision's notification date.
In response, FAM confirmed that it will file an appeal against Fifa's ruling on the sanctions imposed over the ‘heritage player’ case, in a bid to safeguard the players' interests and that of the Malaysian national team.
Its acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi confirmed that the association has received Fifa's official ruling on the matter, and that all documentation and procedures had been submitted transparently in line with the prescribed guidelines.
In the meantime, Spanish club Unionistas de Salamanca CF also confirmed Arrocha's suspension.
In a statement, it said that it is gathering all information related to the case to assess the appropriate actions.
“Meanwhile, the player will remain out of the club’s sporting activities until further official communication,” said the club.
