In recent days, social media platforms have been flooded with heated discussions regarding the Malaysian national football team, following unverified reports suggesting that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been sanctioned by FIFA. The controversy stems from allegations that Malaysia fielded ineligible naturalized players during international matches—an accusation that has now been thoroughly debunked.
How the Rumors Began: Unverified Claims Go Viral
The entire saga began with a social media post alleging that FIFA had imposed sanctions on the Malaysian national team. According to the viral posts, Malaysia supposedly violated FIFA regulations by using players who failed to meet the eligibility criteria for naturalization.
These rumors rapidly gained traction after being picked up and published by several websites. The situation escalated further when Vietnamese media outlet Thanh Nien echoed the claims—without seeking official confirmation from FIFA or FAM. As a result, confusion spread throughout Southeast Asia’s football community, leading to widespread speculation and misunderstandings.
Adding fuel to the fire, doctored screenshots began circulating online. These manipulated images falsely appeared to be taken from FIFA’s official website, implying that the global football governing body had issued a public statement sanctioning Malaysia. However, these screenshots have been confirmed to be fake and misleading.
FAM President Responds: All Players Have Been Approved by FIFA
In response to the growing controversy, FAM President Datuk Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub issued a firm and detailed clarification. Speaking to Berita Harian, he emphasized that all players—whether naturalized or heritage-based—who represented Malaysia during the June 2025 FIFA Matchday had undergone a thorough and legal vetting process, including formal approval by FIFA.
“All heritage players have been evaluated by FIFA, which is extremely strict about such matters,” Joehari explained. “Here at FAM, we strictly follow every procedure and guideline established by FIFA.”
Joehari also noted that the association is not obligated to disclose the full personal backgrounds of its players to the public, as long as those players have passed FIFA’s verification process.
“There’s no issue regarding disclosure. What matters is that FIFA has reviewed and approved everything. We abide by whatever decision FIFA makes,” he added.
Meet the New Faces: Five FIFA-Approved Players Represent Malaysia
During the international friendly against Vietnam on June 10, 2025, at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Malaysia fielded five debutants:
- Facundo Garces
- Imanol Machuca
- Jon Irazabal
- Joao Figueiredo
- Rodrigo Holgado
All five players were registered as either naturalized citizens or heritage players, and each went through FIFA’s strict compliance checks before being added to the squad list.
Joehari reiterated that FAM takes compliance seriously, especially in matters related to international player eligibility. According to him, these players were only selected after receiving official clearance from FIFA.
“We don’t take these issues lightly. Their inclusion in the national team followed all the proper legal steps. As of today, FIFA has not issued any sanctions against Malaysia.”
No FIFA Sanctions, Just Misinformation
In the end, the rumors of FIFA punishing the Malaysian national team were completely unfounded. The Football Association of Malaysia has confirmed that all naturalized and heritage players representing the country were cleared under FIFA’s eligibility rules. The incident highlights the dangers of misinformation, especially in the digital age where fake screenshots and unverified news can easily distort public perception.
As Malaysia continues its journey on the international stage, the federation remains committed to maintaining transparency and adhering to all international football regulations.
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