FIFPRO Statement: FIFA Appeal Committee decision on seven players who sought eligibility to represent Malaysia

FIFPRO has taken note of the decision issued by the FIFA Appeal Committee regarding the seven players who sought eligibility to represent the Malaysian national team.

The sanctions imposed on them – a 12-month ban from all football-related activities – are grossly disproportionate given the particular circumstances of the case.

It is clear that the players are, in fact, victims in this matter. The decision itself confirms that they did not forge any documents to obtain eligibility, explicitly acknowledging that the documents they submitted were authentic. When not fewer than seven players find themselves in the exact same situation, it is evident that any possible forged documents were not the result of individual actions.

Players also have no means to individually obtain binding confirmation from FIFA regarding their eligibility, a procedure which is not even mandatory under the current rules. It is therefore especially troubling that they are being held responsible for submissions made by a national association to FIFA, and that an apparent obligation is put on them to verify documents they neither issue nor submit.

The seven players in question followed the prescribed process: they submitted their personal documents, appeared before Malaysian authorities, undertook oath-taking procedures, received government-issued passports, and awaited the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)’s eligibility clearance.

All steps were handled by institutions outside their control, yet they now face suspension from their clubs and the serious consequences that follow, through no fault of their own.

FIFPRO expresses its full support for the players and trusts that the Court of Arbitration for Sport will overturn this injustice.