The global football governing body, FIFA, has come down hard on the Football Association of Malaysia for presenting forged documents to secure the international eligibility of foreign-born players. This decisive action comes at a time when the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is pursuing its own case against the Democratic Republic of Congo over allegedly ineligible players.
Malaysia Hit with Heavy Fines and Forfeits
According to reports from The Athletic, FIFA has imposed a substantial financial penalty on Malaysia and ordered them to forfeit three international matches played in May 2025. The world body found that seven Malaysian players were ineligible due to fraudulent documentation used to switch their national allegiance.
The affected matches are a 2-1 win over Singapore, a 1-0 victory against Palestine, and a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde. FIFA has officially overturned these results, awarding 3-0 wins to Malaysia's opponents in each case.
The seven players at the centre of the scandal have each been suspended from all football-related activities for a period of 12 months. They are identified as Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
Following a rejected appeal, the Football Association of Malaysia was fined a total of $451,793.
FIFA's Global Crackdown on Eligibility Fraud
This sanction against Malaysia is part of a broader, ongoing campaign by FIFA to clamp down on nations using improper means to naturalise foreign-born talent. The governing body has recently punished several countries for fielding ineligible players.
One notable case involved Equatorial Guinea, which was sanctioned for matches featuring Emilio Nsue before his nationality switch from Spain was formally approved in 2025, long after his 2013 debut. Similarly, South Africa faced punishment for fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho while he was suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Nigeria's Parallel Case Against DR Congo
The timing of Malaysia's sanction is particularly significant for Nigerian football fans, as it highlights FIFA's current vigilance. This development occurs amid the NFF's formal petition to FIFA seeking the disqualification of DR Congo from the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoffs.
The Nigerian argument hinges on the Congolese constitution, which prohibits dual nationality. The NFF contends that players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who recently switched allegiance to represent DR Congo, did not legally renounce their previous European citizenships. Therefore, Nigeria asserts that FIFA was misled into approving their eligibility.
In response, the Congolese Football Association has defended its position, stating that FIFA duly approved the nationality switches for Wan-Bissaka and the other players in question. They have presented documentation from FIFA to support their claim, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal and sporting dispute.
What This Means for International Football
The severe sanctions against Malaysia send a clear message to all national associations about the serious consequences of manipulating player eligibility rules. For Nigeria, the precedent of FIFA's strict enforcement could be seen as a positive sign as it argues its case against DR Congo.
The outcomes of these cases will have major implications, potentially altering match results, tournament qualifications, and the international careers of the players involved. The football world will be watching closely as FIFA continues to enforce its regulations in an increasingly globalised sport.
