KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — The FIFA Appeal Committee has instructed its secretariat to take immediate steps to launch a formal investigation into the internal operations of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) over the falsification of documents of seven heritage players.
According to the 63-page motivated decision released by the world football governing body today, the investigation should aim to identify the individuals responsible for the falsification of documents.
The probe should also assess the adequacy and effectiveness of FAM’s internal compliance and governance mechanisms, as well as determine whether additional disciplinary measures are warranted against FAM officials.
“As an initial focus, the investigation must examine the role of the FAM secretary-general (Datuk Noor Azman Rahman) and that of the two licensed FIFA agents named in these proceedings — Nicolas Puppo and Frederico Moraes.
“Their involvement raises serious concerns that merit thorough scrutiny,” it said.
The committee also instructed its secretariat to initiate a separate investigation into the fielding of ineligible players in the three friendly matches cited in the case.
The FIFA Appeal Committee said the inquiry will establish the circumstances under which some of the players participated and whether further sanctions are appropriate, while also revealing that all seven heritage players were born abroad.
It said Gabriel Felipe Arrocha was born in Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain; Facundo Garces was born in Santa Fe, Argentina; Rodrigo Holgado was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Imanol Manchuca was born in Rosario, Argentina; Joao Figueiredo was born in Sao Paolo, Brazil; Jon Irazabal was born in Bilbao, Spain; and Hector Hevel was born in Leidschendam, the Netherlands.
In the meantime, given the nature and gravity of the offences — particularly the forgery of official documents — the committee ordered the secretariat to adopt the necessary steps to notify the competent criminal authorities in Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia.
“Forgery constitutes a criminal offence in these jurisdictions, and it is imperative that the relevant authorities are informed so appropriate criminal investigations and proceedings may be pursued,” it said.
On November 3, FIFA rejected appeals by FAM and the seven naturalised players.
The FIFA Appeal Committee upheld the penalty imposed by the disciplinary committee of the governing body against FAM and the seven naturalised players for offences related to the falsification of documents under Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
In its previous statement, FIFA said FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the eligibility of the players, allowing them to compete in the third-round match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers against Vietnam on June 10, which Malaysia won 4-0 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Previously, the secretariat was able to gather copies of the original birth certificates of the grandparents of the players involved.
It stated the grandparents of the players as follows: Gabriel Felipe Arrocha (María Belen Concepcion Martin born in Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain); Facundo Garces (Carlos Rogelio Fernandez born in Villa Maria Selva, Santa Fe, Argentina); Rodrigo Holgado (Omar Eli Holgado Gardon born in Caseros, Buenos Aires, Argentina); Imanol Manchuca (Concepcion Agueda Alaniz born in Roldan, Argentina); Joao Figueiredo (Nair de Oliveira born in Abre Campo, Brazil); Jon Irazabal (Gregorio Irazabal y Lamiquiz born in Villa de Guernica y Luno, Viscaya, Spain); and Hector Hevel (Hendrik Jan Hevel born in The Hague, Netherlands).
However, it said the one filed by FAM indicated that Maria Belen Concepion Martin was from Melaka, Carlos Rogelio Fernandez was from Penang, Omar Eli Holgado Gardon was from George Town, Concepcion Agueda Alaniz was from Penang, Nair de Oliveira was from Johor, Gregorio Irazabal y Lamiquiz was from Kuching, and Hendrick Jan Hevel was from the Malacca Straits Settlements.
Consequently, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined 2,000 francs. The seven players were also suspended for 12 months from football-related activities.
