Football union declares seven players in Malaysian eligibility row as victims

The international players union FIFPro has stated that the seven footballers caught up in a Malaysian national team selection controversy are actually the victims, describing their 12 month suspensions as excessively harsh.

Malaysias football association, known as FAM, has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport following FIFAs decision in September to suspend the players and impose a $440000 fine on FAM over falsified paperwork claiming the players, born abroad, had Malaysian family roots.

The probe by FIFA began after a report was filed in the wake of Malaysias 4-0 victory over Vietnam during an Asian Cup qualifying match in June, where two of the implicated players found the net.

Examinations revealed that none of the individuals, Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca or Joao Brandao Figueiredo, possessed a parent or grandparent originating from Malaysia, which is essential for national team eligibility.

On Monday, FIFPro expressed complete backing for the seven players, insisting they bear no responsibility.

The group noted in its release, "The penalties applied to them, a full year exclusion from any football activities, seem vastly excessive considering the specifics here."

"Evidently, these players are the true sufferers in this situation."

Further, it remarked, "Every process was managed by entities beyond their influence, but now they suffer club bans and the resulting fallout entirely without their involvement."

FAM maintains there was no intentional misconduct involved.