CAS allows 7 suspended 'heritage' players to resume playing for now

Seven suspended heritage football players involved in the alleged falsification of identification documents have been allowed to resume playing.

According to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had granted the players’ submission for a stay of execution.

“This decision means that the 12-month suspension from all football-related activities imposed by Fifa (International Federation of Association Football) on the seven Harimau Malaya players is temporarily lifted.

“(The players) are allowed to continue their careers and participate in any football-related activities until CAS makes a final decision on the appeal,” FAM said in a statement last night.

Fifa investigations

Fifa previously initiated an investigation into FAM and the seven players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.

On Sept 26, Fifa affirmed that the players were guilty of violating Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) related to document falsification.

The global football body’s probes found that FAM had submitted allegedly falsified documents to confirm the eligibility of the players, allowing them to compete in the third round match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers on June 10, where Malaysia won 4-0 against Vietnam.

Consequently, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.

Following the Fifa Appeal Committee’s Nov 3 rejection of an appeal filed by FAM and the players, which claimed a technical error, FAM had on Dec 8 submitted its statement of appeal to the CAS.

Previously, Colombian club America de Cali terminated its contract with striker Holgado, albeit with full pay, while left back Arrocha was left without a club following a similar termination.

Earlier this month, Holgado was said to have been considering retiring from professional football, with Colombian football journalist Bombiro Quintero opining that the 30-year-old’s professional future is now uncertain.

On Jan 20, New Straits Times reported that Holgado is expected to be acquired by Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) FC on a long-term deal if his contract with America de Cali, which runs until the end of this year, is terminated, should the Fifa suspension be lifted.

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