CAS officially issued a ruling, and the naturalized Malaysian player immediately received great news

Following the CAS's temporary suspension of FIFA's playing ban, defender Gabriel Palmero has formally signed with Kuching City FC, offering an opportunity to revive his troubled career.

Malaysian football is undergoing a turbulent period as FIFA decided to temporarily halt the enforcement of sanctions against seven naturalized players accused of using invalid documentation. This decision came after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) agreed to postpone the punishment to gather more evidencebefore issuing a final verdict.

These players were previously banned by FIFA from all football activities for 12 months in September 2025, after the organization determined they did not fully meet naturalization requirements but still played for Malaysia’s national team.

The penalty immediately disrupted many players’ careers, with some even facing unemployment as their clubs proactively terminated contracts to avoid legal risks.

Among them, Gabriel Palmero’s case attracted significant attention. The defender was once under contract with Tenerife and loaned to Unionistas de Salamanca. After the ban was announced, Palmero’s loan contract was terminated, followed by Tenerife releasing him in November 2025, leaving him unable to play professionally for an extended time.

However, thanks to CAS’s decision to temporarily suspend the ban, Palmero found a way out by signing with Kuching City FC, a club considered a regional "neighbor" competing in the Malaysia Super League.

This transfer stirred controversy as Palmero’s legal status remains uncertain, with the risk of the ban being reinstated still looming.

Not only Palmero, but several other players have also returned to the field. Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, and Joao Figueiredo were registered to play for Johor Darul Ta’zim, while Facundo Garces appeared in La Liga representing Alaves. Nevertheless, the number of players actually given playing opportunities remains very limited, indicating clubs remain cautious about the final CAS ruling’s risks.

It is important to emphasize that the suspension of the ban does not mean the players have been exonerated. If CAS upholds FIFA’s decision, the ban will immediately be reinstated. In that case, not only will the players’ careers be severely affected, but the Football Association of Malaysia might also face additional disciplinary measures from the Asian Football Confederation.

This incident is expected to have a significant impact on the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, where Malaysia had fielded the naturalized players under suspicion of violations. In the worst-case scenario, match results involving these players could be reviewed, leading to considerable changes in points and team rankings within the group.