The Football Association of Malaysia says three of its matches have been declared as forfeits by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee due to fielding ineligible players.
Malasyia’s 1-1 draw against Cape Verde in May, 2-1 win against Singapore in September, and 1-0 win against Palestine… pic.twitter.com/K1DfeMiHpd
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 17, 2025
FIFA has imposed heavy sanctions on Malaysia, forfeiting three of their matches played in 2025 and fining the Football Association of Malaysia $451,793 over the fielding of ineligible players. According to The Athletic, Malaysia’s 2-1 win over Singapore, 1-0 win over Palestine, and 1-1 draw against Cape Verde, all played in May 2025, have been ruled as 3-0 wins for their opponents. The sanctions follow FIFA’s determination that seven Malaysian players used forged documents for their national switch.
The seven players deemed ineligible are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano. FIFA suspended all seven players from football and all football-related activities for 12 months. The Football Association of Malaysia appealed the decision, but according to TRT World, FIFA rejected the appeal and upheld the sanctions.
The Malaysia case joins other recent FIFA enforcement actions against countries fielding ineligible players. Equatorial Guinea was sanctioned for World Cup qualifier matches involving Emilio Nsue, whose national switch from Spain was only approved in 2025, 12 years after his debut in 2013. Nsue’s case raised questions as he won the Golden Boot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. FIFA also sanctioned South Africa for fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho despite his suspension for yellow card accumulation.
The heavy crackdown on Malaysia comes amid Nigeria’s petition to FIFA seeking to disqualify the Democratic Republic of Congo from the intercontinental playoffs. Nigeria alleges DR Congo fielded ineligible players against the Super Eagles in the final of the African playoffs, citing a technicality from the country’s constitution. The Congolese constitution prohibits dual nationality, but some players who recently switched international allegiance, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, did not renounce their European citizenship.
DR Congo has defended its players, claiming they were issued national switch clearance by FIFA. The country’s Football Association shared details from FIFA which approved the players, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, to switch their international allegiances. The Nigeria Football Federation argues that FIFA was misled into approving the nationality switch and should reverse the decision. The case remains under FIFA review as Nigeria seeks similar sanctions to those imposed on Malaysia and other countries.