Suspended 'heritage' players mulling legal action against FAM

The seven Harimau Malaya “heritage” players are reportedly considering legal action against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for compensation over loss of income and potential termination of their job contracts.

Citing a source, the New Straits Times reported yesterday that the players have been in talks with lawyers abroad after the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) suspended them over allegations of document forgery.

“They can do so (sue FAM) and it would not be surprising, given the financial impact of the bans.

"A compensation claim would also help clear their names and make it easier for them to find new clubs after the suspension,” the source was quoted as saying.

On Saturday, Gabriel Felipe Arrocha was left without a club after his contract was terminated by two Spanish football clubs, following Fifa’s Appeals Committee upholding its sanctions against FAM and six of his fellow “heritage” players.

A day before that, it was reported that Harimau Malaya striker Rodrigo Holgado may be released by his Colombian club.

In September, Fifa imposed a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million) on FAM, while the seven players - Holgado, Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano - were each fined 2,000 Swiss francs.

According to Fifa, the seven “heritage” players do not have any grandparents born in Malaysia as claimed.

Forgery claims

However, FAM rejected allegations of doctoring documents, arguing that Fifa had not provided evidence to substantiate its allegations of forgery.

FAM later filed an appeal against the sanctions, arguing that its administrative staff had made a technical error in the players’ initial document-submission process.

Despite their denials, an Argentine news portal had also published two exposés, alleging that Garces and Iraurgui did not have grandparents born in Malaysia.

On Nov 3, Fifa’s appeals committee announced that it had rejected FAM’s appeal against the sanctions.

The organisation also stated that FAM and the players have 10 days from the date of the announcement to request the written grounds of the decision, and 21 days to file a possible appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

FAM later announced that it will be taking the matter to the CAS, the final arbiter in such disputes.

‘Politically motivated’

Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim described Fifa’s rejection of FAM’s appeal as “politically motivated” and a “misapplication of the law”, stressing that he would continue to “support the players at all costs”.

The owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim FC has offered to cover all expenses related to FAM’s bid to bring its case to the CAS, reportedly adding that he is not afraid of Fifa potentially “taking action” against him.

FAM has also formed an independent committee, led by former chief justice Raus Shariff, to investigate issues involving the seven players.

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