Court of Arbitration for Sport cuts sanctions on Malaysia players to official-match bans

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by ReutersMarch 5, 2026 at 04:30 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has modified FIFA's sanctions against seven footballers who played for Malaysia using falsified naturalization documents. Initially, FIFA imposed a 12-month ban from all football-related activities in September after discovering the doctored documents used in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam. The players involved included Facundo Garces, Gabriel Arrocha, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel. CAS upheld the finding that the players were complicit in falsifying eligibility documents, but reduced the ban to apply only to official matches, allowing them to train with their clubs. CAS also upheld FIFA's US$450,000 fine against the Football Association of Malaysia.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Football Association of Malaysia 50% Rodrigo Holgado 60% Imanol Machuca 60% Joao Figueiredo 60% Jon Irazabal 60% Hector Hevel 60% Vietnam 60% Gabriel Arrocha 60% Facundo Garces 70% Fifa ×270% Malaysia ×280% Court of Arbitration for Sport ×390%

Keywords

court of arbitration for sport 90% official-match ban 90% malaysia 80% sanctions 80% falsified documents 80% fifa 70% footballers 70% football association of malaysia 60% suspension 60% eligibility documents 50%