Reason for CAS Postponing Ruling on Malaysian Naturalized Player Case

The hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has concluded, but the body wishes to take time for deliberation, thus postponing the final decision announcement regarding the Malaysian naturalized player's appeal for a reduced sentence to next week.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed that its panel has begun the deliberation process in the appeal concerning seven Malaysian naturalized players, and an operative award (without detailed reasoning) is expected to be issued next week.

A CAS spokesperson told Timesport that today's (Friday) hearing has ended, but the panel requires additional time to review the submissions from all parties.

"Following the hearing, the Panel will take time to deliberate. An operative award (without reasons) will not be issued today," said Vanessa Tracey – Head of Communications at CAS.

She added that the concise decision is expected to be announced next week, while the full written award will be issued subsequently.

"After today's hearing, the Panel will take time to deliberate. I cannot provide an exact timeline for the decision, but an operative award (without reasons) is anticipated next week. Due to the high-profile nature of this case, a press release will be issued. I will inform you once it is published."

The appeal relates to a document forgery scandal that began in early 2025, after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) submitted a series of eligibility confirmation requests to FIFA for seven naturalized-origin players (Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Rodrigo Holgado, Facundo Garces, and Imanol Machuca).

Although FIFA initially confirmed all seven players were eligible based on birth certificates purported to prove Malaysian lineage, complaints later emerged alleging these documents were forged and that some players had only recently arrived in Malaysia before their international team debuts.

These allegations triggered a formal disciplinary process, and after exchanges via FIFA's Legal Portal, the case was referred to the Disciplinary Committee in September of the same year.

On September 25, 2025, FIFA concluded that FAM violated Article 22 of the Disciplinary Code, imposing a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs on the association (50,000 francs per player, approximately 1.8 million ringgit), while each player was fined 2,000 francs (around 10,650 ringgit) and suspended from all football activities for 12 months.

FIFA's Appeal Committee upheld the sanctions in November, stating that FAM and the players had relied on forged birth certificates. Subsequently, FAM brought the case to CAS, and in January 2026, CAS provisionally suspended the effect of the playing bans pending a full hearing.

CAS stated that the full award, including the legal reasoning behind the decision, will be issued after the operative award and may be published on their website unless any party requests confidentiality.