FAM blames technical error by staff after fine, suspension of players

The country’s football governing body insists, however, that the mixed-heritage players involved are indeed Malaysian.

The Football Association of Malaysia and the seven mixed-heritage players were sanctioned by FIFA for breaching its disciplinary code, which relates to forgery and falsification. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) tonight cited a “technical error” in the documents submitted to field the players in an Asian Cup qualifier, two days after it and seven mixed-heritage players were sanctioned by FIFA.

The country’s football governing body said the error had been made by one of its personnel.

“FAM takes this matter seriously. However, we would like to emphasise that the mixed-heritage players involved are indeed Malaysian,” it said in a statement.

On Sept 26, FIFA’s disciplinary committee fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million), while each of the seven players was  fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000) in addition to the 12-month suspension.

FIFA said FAM and the seven players were sanctioned for breaching Article 22 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which relates to forgery and falsification.

The players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano. - FMT

MORE TO COME