7 Malaysian players sanctioned by FIFA remain silent amid the 'storm'

23/10/2025 17:33:00 GoalGuru

As calls for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) increase, the key players involved in the FIFA eligibility scandal remain silent — and their silence is becoming suspicious.

Seven players — Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, Facundo Garces, and Gabriel Palmero — were banned by FIFA for one year due to violations of national team eligibility rules. Both FAM and these players were fined nearly 2 million Malaysian ringgit.

Since the sanctions were announced, none of them have spoken out or provided any explanations.

Even their smallest actions on social media have been carefully examined by fans looking for clues.

This silence has sparked much debate — are they being advised to remain quiet for legal reasons, or are they simply afraid to face public scrutiny?

Malaysia’s starting lineup in their 4-0 win over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers

Malaysian football expert Datuk Dr. Pekan Ramli commented that it is still unclear whether the players fully understood the risks when agreeing to play for Malaysia or if they were drawn by the chance to play internationally and ignored warnings.

"Do they realize the immediate consequences, or did they think it wouldn’t escalate this far? Or maybe they were promised something that made them ignore the risks," Pekan speculated.

"But if FIFA really has evidence that their grandparents are not Malaysian, then the players themselves must take responsibility. If they knew and stayed silent, they must bear the consequences."

He added that this punishment should serve as a strong warning to anyone looking for a "shortcut" into international football.

"Every sanction is not just a punishment but also a message to others," he stressed. "Remember, in football, shortcuts always come at a price."

Besides the suspension and fines, the seven players face serious damage to their reputations, which could haunt them for many years.

"Their status in the international football community has been severely affected, and this scandal will impact future transfer negotiations," Pekan remarked.

Nevertheless, he believes that if they show transparency and honesty, they can still find a way back through their skills.

"Their image is tarnished, yes, but talent remains talent. If they can demonstrate goodwill and regain trust, Malaysian clubs might still offer them a second chance."

The suspension not only costs them international playing opportunities but also causes significant losses for the foreign clubs they represent, as these teams lose key players for an entire season.

Having invested heavily in salaries and contracts, many clubs may feel harmed despite having no fault.

No official complaints have been filed yet, but Malaysian football circles are discussing the possibility of clubs seeking compensation or holding FAM accountable for personnel losses — a situation that could deepen financial troubles in Malaysian football.

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