FAM files a lawsuit against FIFA at CAS, marking a turning point in Malaysia football's naturalization scandal

08/12/2025 13:10:00 ScoreStream

Acting President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Yusoff Mahadi, confirmed that the organization has officially submitted an appeal against FIFA's sanctions to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

According to News Strait Times, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concerning the penalties FIFA imposed on the national football governing body and seven naturalized players.

In a statement today, December 8, acting FAM President Datuk Yusoff Mahadi announced that the association’s legal team has been allotted 10 days to prepare and submit their full written arguments, with the deadline set for December 18.

The Football Association of Malaysia decides to sue FIFA, Photo: NST

"FAM is fully committed to managing this process professionally and transparently, respecting all prescribed legal procedures," Yusoff stated.

"Further updates will be provided at the appropriate time."

This step is the latest development in the shocking story of Malaysian football since FIFA discovered irregularities in the registration files of seven naturalized players — Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Gabriel Palmero, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel — who played for Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. The penalties are considered very severe.

FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (1.9 million ringgit), while each player was suspended for 12 months and fined 2,000 Swiss francs (10,600 ringgit).

FAM’s initial appeal to FIFA was rejected, making CAS the final authority for FAM to seek reconsideration.

The FAM statement also aimed to clarify the situation after last week’s report claimed a CAS spokesperson said they had not received any appeal from Malaysia, leading to criticism and confusion among the public about whether FAM had truly taken action.

Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will continue to monitor FAM’s developments closely following the appeal to FIFA at CAS.

The organization confirmed that this legal process must be completed before March 31, 2026, when the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers conclude.

The AFC also stated it will urge all relevant parties, including FIFA and CAS, to accelerate the hearing process to resolve the Malaysian football naturalization scandal as soon as possible.

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