On the evening of November 9, Malaysian newspaper Harian Metro reported: “Overseas lawyers are negotiating with 7 naturalized Malaysian players to consider suing FAM.”
The 7 naturalized players mentioned are Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, and Joao Figueiredo. This group of players has been suspended by FIFA for one year. Each was additionally fined 2,000 Swiss francs (approximately 66 million VND) for using forged documents to play for the Malaysian national team.
Harian Metro stated the reason this group of 7 wants to sue FAM: “These 7 players are seeking compensation from FAM. Previously, FAM admitted that administrative staff made errors during the submission process to FIFA when registering the naturalization of Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, and Joao Figueiredo.”
“After being suspended by FIFA, some of the 7 players lost their livelihoods. Their respective clubs terminated their contracts almost immediately,” the Malaysian newspaper further reported.
Malaysian journalist Firdaus Hashim commented: “The 7 players involved are fully capable of suing FAM. If this happens, it will be no surprise because these players have lost their livelihoods and sources of income.”
“Their move to sue FAM can be seen as a way to seek damages. For them, this compensation is very important for their livelihood until they find new clubs after their suspension period ends,” journalist Firdaus Hashim further analyzed.
If the group of 7 naturalized players — Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, and Joao Figueiredo — sue FAM, the Football Association of Malaysia will be “attacked from within and without.” FAM risks having to handle two lawsuits simultaneously.
The first lawsuit is their appeal to FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The second lawsuit is the 7 naturalized players suing them.
If they lose both lawsuits, FAM will suffer significant financial losses, especially as they will not receive financial support from the state budget. Moreover, the related 7 naturalized players’ intent to sue FAM indicates that these 7 individuals do not believe in FAM’s ability to win against FIFA at CAS.
Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/bong-da-malaysia-doi-dien-song-gio-moi-tu-7-cau-thu-nhap-tich-20251109223918135.htm
