Overview

• FIFA’s disciplinary committee fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs and banned seven foreign-born players for 12 months, with each player also fined 2,000 francs.
• The written grounds say investigators obtained original certificates showing the players’ grandparents were born in Spain, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands, contradicting documents submitted to FIFA.
• Malaysia’s National Registration Department told FIFA it did not hold the original certificates and issued official copies from secondary information and foreign documents.
• FAM disputes the findings as an administrative error, asserts the players are legitimate citizens, and has lodged an immediate appeal with supporting government-certified papers.
• The seven suspended players will miss upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers against Laos, the 4-0 win over Vietnam faces possible forfeiture pending adjudication, and the AFC may review the case separately as officials in Malaysia voice public concern.