Malaysian FA disappointed with CAS ruling to partially uphold player sanctions

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by ReutersMarch 6, 2026 at 09:41 AM

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The Malaysian Football Association (FAM) expressed disappointment after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld sanctions against seven footballers. FIFA had initially banned the players, including Facundo Garces, for a year in September for using falsified naturalization documents to play in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in 2023. FAM appealed to CAS after FIFA dismissed their initial appeal. CAS eased the sanctions, allowing the players to train with their clubs but upholding the ban from official matches. CAS upheld FIFA's 350,000 Swiss franc fine on the FAM, who stated the ruling was disproportionate despite accepting responsibility for oversight failures.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Gabriel Arrocha 50% Rodrigo Holgado 50% Imanol Machuca 50% Johor Darul Ta'zim 50% Vietnam 60% Facundo Garces ×270% Malaysia ×280% Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ×280% Fifa ×380% Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) ×490%

Keywords

cas ruling 90% falsified naturalisation documents 90% player sanctions 80% football association 70% fifa 70% fine 60% malaysia 60% oversight failures 50% appeal 50%