Fifpro Slams Fifa S Grossly Disproportionate Sanctions On 7 Heritage Players

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World players’ union FIFPRO has slammed the FIFA Appeal Committee for imposing what it described as a “grossly disproportionate” sanction on the seven suspended Harimau Malaya heritage players. — PIC FROM HRH CROWN PRINCE OF JOHOR’S FBKUALA LUMPUR: World players' union FIFPRO has slammed the FIFA Appeal Committee for imposing what it described as a "grossly disproportionate" sanction on the seven suspended Harimau Malaya heritage players.
In a statement, it said the players were the victims in this matter.
"The sanctions imposed on them — a 12-month ban from all football-related activities — are grossly disproportionate given the particular circumstances of the case.
-Advertisement-"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," it said.
It added that when no fewer than seven players find themselves in the same situation, it is evident that any forged documents could not have been the result of individual actions.
FIFPRO said players also have no means of individually obtaining binding confirmation from FIFA regarding their eligibility, a procedure that 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 placed 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," it said.
It added that FIFPRO expresses its full support for the players and trusts that the Court of Arbitration for Sport will overturn this injustice.
On Oct 6, FIFA released the full reasoning behind the disciplinary action taken against FAM and the seven Harimau Malaya heritage players, confirming inconsistencies in the original documents submitted during the players' registration process.
In its official report titled Notification of the Grounds of the Decision dated Oct 6, 2025, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee said sanctions were imposed for violations under Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, involving falsification and alteration of official documents.
The investigation revealed that several supporting documents submitted by FAM, including birth certificates of the players' grandparents, contained details that did not match the original records in the players' countries of birth.
On Oct 7, FAM denied any wrongdoing in the eligibility process of the seven national players, stressing that all documents were obtained and submitted according to official procedures.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, on Oct 9, said that the process of granting citizenship to the seven Harimau Malaya heritage players was fully compliant with the Federal Constitution and citizenship rules.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/10/1290427/updated-citizenship-…
However, FIFA, on Nov 18, released a 64-page report naming Nicolas Puppo and Frederico Moraes as involved in preparing the eligibility papers that were later proven to be forged.
While stressing that naming them was not an accusation of wrongdoing, the FIFA Appeals Committee issued a firm recommendation for its secretariat to expand the investigation.
It also singled out FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, saying the roles of all three "require deeper scrutiny" as they were "part of the chain of events that led to the creation of the forged eligibility documents."
FAM said it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). - NST

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