Fake naturalized Malaysian officially returns to La Liga, coach exclaims one thing

After his suspension for document fraud from FIFA was temporarily lifted, center-back Facundo Garces immediately shone to help Deportivo Alaves secure a crucial victory in the Spanish league.

La Liga has just witnessed a dramatic comeback by Facundo Garces – a player involved in the "illegal naturalization" scandal shaking the Malaysian national team.

Thanks to the provisional suspension of the sanction by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), this Argentine-born defender officially returned to the pitch wearing Deportivo Alaves colors in the early match of the 22nd round against Espanyol on the morning of January 31, 2026.

Garces's presence was regarded as a "lifeline" for Alaves amid the Basque club’s severe crisis. Introduced at the start of the second half with the score tied at 1-1, the 25-year-old defender brought a completely new look to the defense.

With his tall physique and excellent game reading, Garces completely neutralized Espanyol’s attacks, paving the way for Lucas Boye to score the winning goal at the 71st minute. This victory not only lifted Alaves temporarily to 10th place but also ended their previous poor run of form.

After the match, coach Eduardo Coudet praised his player lavishly. The strategist stated: “He is very smart because after a long absence, he came back and helped us. I hope players get the deserved recognition for all they’ve done to overcome challenges like today.”

Garces’s composure made people forget he had just served four months of suspension due to legal issues related to his Malaysian nationality.

Despite his impressive performance in Spain, Garces’s future remains highly uncertain. The 12-month ban for document fraud is only temporarily suspended by CAS on humanitarian grounds to ensure the player’s income.

The final verdict will be announced on February 28. Meanwhile, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is making every effort to resolve the issue, hoping to have Garces available for the crucial rematch against Vietnam in the Asian Cup qualifiers in March.

Nevertheless, the return of a "fake naturalized" player in one of the world’s top leagues like La Liga will surely attract much media attention, especially since his fate lies in the hands of Swiss judges.