Ultras Malaya backs appeal to FIFA despite anger over ‘stupid’ FAM blunder

PETALING JAYA: Football supporters group Ultras Malaya has thrown its backing behind the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) appeal to FIFA over sanctions handed down to it and seven naturalised players.

Last week, FIFA fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million) and handed the seven players a 12-month suspension, along with individual fines of 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000), for breaching forgery and falsification regulations.

In a statement today, the group blasted FAM for what it called a “stupid” technical mistake, and said Malaysia’s dignity and the reputation of Harimau Malaya had been “trampled and humiliated” by FIFA’s punishment.

It also demanded that FAM reveal the exact nature of the technical error when submitting documents to FIFA.

“How could such stupidness have occurred?” it asked.

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“We demand those responsible to give an honest explanation of what really happened.

“Although we are extremely disappointed and furious with FAM’s stupid technical mistake, we fully support their efforts to appeal to FIFA in order to restore the image of the nation and Harimau Malaya.”

Ultras Malaya repeated calls for the home ministry and the national registration department to clarify whether the seven players’ citizenship applications were properly processed.

It also pressed for Harimau Malaya’s top management to immediately disclose the full background of the players involved, stressing that such clarity was necessary to end widespread speculation.

“The explanation is important to ease public confusion and, hopefully, to help restore the nation’s image and that of Harimau Malaya.

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“Right now, fans are divided and quarrelling over this issue because of the conflicting stories being spread,” they said.

The controversy stems from Harimau Malaya’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on June 10 when seven naturalised players – Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano – were fielded.

FIFA said it received a complaint regarding their eligibility after the win, Malaysia’s first against Vietnam in 11 years.

It said its disciplinary committee found FAM guilty of breaching Article 22 of its code, which relates to forgery and falsification.

FAM acting president Yusoff Mahadi has insisted that the governing body had followed proper procedures and would appeal the ruling, adding that FIFA had previously cleared the players’ eligibility.“`